Hi gooodies4u,
The U.S. Department of State has an excellent page dealing with
situations similar to yours. It really is where you should begin your
fight for child support for your son, but the bottom line is, you need
to visit your local child support office and they will guide you from
there. Unfortunately, the Bahamas is not listed as being one of the
countries that has a federal or state arrangement with the U.S. in
regards to child support, but given that you know the father's
address, and child support was part of the court decree, you are in a
good position. I've copied and pasted a few sections below, but
please click on the links for full details and more links to follow.
STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICES
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_608.html#stateagencies
The Office of Child Support Enforcement
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/international/
INTERNATIONAL CHILD SUPPORT - A PRIORITY
"Child support enforcement is a high priority for the United States
Government . The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 ( PRWORA ), as amended, strengthened and
improved child support collection activities. When one parent is in a
foreign country, finding a way to enforce a U.S. child support order
overseas can be a daunting prospect. This U.S. Department of State,
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page feature walks you through the
process step-by-step. We welcome your feedback on the usefulness of
this material and your suggestions for ways to improve it."
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_608.html#foreignorder
Q. WHAT DO YOU ADVISE PEOPLE CONSIDERING RETAINING THE SERVICES OF
VARIOUS PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO ENFORCE CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS?
A. "U.S. residents should always contact the child support office in
their state of residence first, even if the person who is obliged to
pay child support resides abroad. The Department of State is aware
that many private organizations now claim that they can assist in
enforcing child support orders abroad. As a matter of policy, we do
not comment on the bona fides of such organizations. Before retaining
the services of such an organization, however, U.S. citizens may wish
to make appropriate inquiries with applicable state licensing offices,
the Better Business Bureau , your local or state child support office
, or the attorney general?s office of the state where the private
organization is located."
http://travel.state.gov/family/services/support/support_2605.html
GETTING STARTED
Q. WHERE DO I GO TO GET HELP IN TRYING TO ENFORCE A CHILD SUPPORT
OBLIGATION INVOLVING A RESIDENT OF THE U.S. AND A RESIDENT OF A
FOREIGN COUNTRY?
A. "The first step for U.S. residents seeking international child
support enforcement is to contact your local child support office .
These offices are generally known as the state IV-D Agency, for Title
IV-D of the 1975 Social Security Act which established the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Service?s U.S Federal Child Support
Enforcement program..."
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_608.html#gettingstarted
OBTAINING SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT THROUGH THE EMPLOYER
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_608.html#supportemployer
Q. IF THERE IS NO FEDERAL OR STATE RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENT ON CHILD
SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
A. "If there is no Federal or state arrangement, a state child support
agency or an individual seeking child support may want to consult an
attorney in the foreign country to learn if there are any remedies
available under foreign law."
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_608.html#other
See more links after you select your region.
Intergovernmental Referral Guide (IRG) Public Map Page
http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/ext/irg/sps/selectastate.cfm
RETAINING A FOREIGN ATTORNEY
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/retain/retain_714.html
ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_691.html
Q. ARE THERE OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CHILD
SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT WHERE I CAN OBTAIN INFORMATION?
A . The following links may be helpful.
LAWS, EXECUTIVE ORDERS, FEDERAL REGULATIONS, REFERENCE MATERIALS
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_608.html#foreignorder
Q. WHERE CAN I READ MORE ABOUT CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT?
A. Here is a selected bibliography on child support enforcement.
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_608.html#foreignorder
Additional Link of Interest:
The Bahamas
http://travel.state.gov/family/abduction/country/country_529.html
I hope this helps to get you off to a good start. If you have any
questions, please post a clarification request and wait for me to
respond before closing/rating my answer.
Thank you,
hummer
Search strategy: I searched the Department of State website and also
searched Google for: bahamas child support family law deadbeat dads
international enforcement |
