My Court Case

Now that I've calmed down (actually I calmed down long ago), it's time to renew my war on the FRO. First though my last court case, and I fear some of you may be saying "that happened to me!". I have an 18 year old daughter who has not attended school regularly for 2 years. I went to court to stop paying support, sure it was a none issue. Turns out because she registered for school she was to be given the benefit of doubt. So I continue to pay. As expected (unfortunately) she attended the first 8 of 15 days. She works and pays rent to her mother who continues to collect support. I will have to go to court again.....3 month process.....and hope she doesn't register for some other "school". While standing before the judge last session I was told by him to "expect to carry out your parental obligation until she is 21". So my daughter gets to work and pay rent to her mother, who collects support and works her 50k + government job, and daddy gets to try and survuve after a bankruptcy, job loss and seperation. Sounds like the kind of system we envisioned when we picture deadbeat dads?

New Dedication

This will be a new year for me. It's kind of a Karma thing. They say that all the planets will line up in 2010 and mean the end of the world. I'm sure you've heard, unless you're living in a cave. I feel the opposite. For the first time since I can remember evrything is in line in my life. I've found the perfect woman, my relationshipo with my only daughter is coming around, BuzzOn is taking off and all is good.......almost. FRO lingers on. I must admit I was very broklen when I lost my court case. I went in over confident and under prepared. Definetly a bad start for a court appearance. Since then life has changed and I feel I have a new purpose, which includes improving the FRO. New posts will appear weekly (at least), and I welcome your comments.

Recipients

OK there's always a lot of bitching by the payors about FRO, what about the recipients? From what I understand FRO has 2 week turn around times for money. This should mean within 2 weeks of the FRO receiving funds they are paid out. Of course that doesn't happen and there are a variety of reasons which the FRO will be more than happy to explain to you. One of the most obvious delays is the payors employer....they have 2 weeks to submit funds to FRO, who has 2 weeks.......blah, blah, blah. So realistically you can expect the first payment about 6 weeks after its paid and subsequent payments approximately 4 weeks from the time they are paid. When I say "paid" I mean the payor has had it deducted from his cheque. This creates anomosity with the recipient who thinks the payor is screwing around. Another concern I have is where is all that money for 2 weeks?

Unemployment..was that the plan?

Thank you FRO! I have been working for half price now due to a garnishment by FRO. It makes you wonder, who thinks these tactics up? Let me ask you........if you earn $600 a week (gross) you should take home about $460. Should you drive to work you probably pay for gas (in my case about $80/week), if not you still ahve costs associated with getting to work. Assume you have no special equipment requirements, you would still net $380. Now give half to FRO and you've earned $165/week. Gets you revved up to go to work the next week doesn't it? Why would anyone continue to work? You can't even support yourself! So now you no longer see the point to working, you can't pay your rent/mortgage, you visit food banks and wonder where you went wrong.
Now I'm not suggesting I know the answer......but surely this isn't it?

This won't be fun

It is law in Ontario that all seperations involving children automatically are turned over to the FRO office. BOTH PARTIES SHOULD AVOID THIS AT ALL COST IF POSSIBLE!! Believe me I've been divorced for 15 years and they are a pain in the ass. Although these cases are automatically turned over to FRO both parties may agree to withdraw from the program, which is what I would recommend. There is no need to waste your money on lawyers....wouldn't you rather give it to the kids? There are clear and set guidelines for child support (they do vary from province to province) which have tables based on the payors salary and the number of children being supported. Issues other than support amounts will probably need a lawyer, however try to avoid FRO. The FRO office is in fact a waste of taxpayers money masquerading as a "service" to prevent dead beat parents (of course we know it as dead beat dads) from evading there parental duty. Think of this, $72 million spent (well last count which was 3 years ago) annually for what amounts to a "collection agency" which has no accountability for it's actions.
The Auditor General has performed 2 audits on FRO. Both resulted in scathing reports......but the FRO plows on without a hesitation. Try to find the FRO recovery rates.......bettter yet (after 50-60 google searches) try to find the recovery rates for those that are truly dead beats. It's an obscene waste of money, for an inefficient draconian department.
The next 2 blogs will focus on the system as it relates to paying and receiving funds from FRO, as well my next court date is July 14th, I am attempting to end support for a soon to be 18 year old who hasn't attended school in 2 years......if any of you have a similair situation I will up date you on that as well.

Garnishing

Go figure....did you realize that if FRO is garnishing your wages EACH income source will get a garnish order for the same amount? So lets say you pay $500/mth in support and work 2 jobs. Each employer will get a letter saying deduct 50% of your pay up to a maximum $500. Therefore each month you will effectively be making 2 payments! Each employer is legally obligated to make this deduction. This will continue indefinetly until you get through to an agent (good luck) at the FRO, who then must confirm this is all true (since we are all considered deadbeats and support deduction orders are automatically rubber stamped by the courts). Once they confirm you have overpaid you will be granted a reprieve from payments. Of course this will only really take effect after your income source has been informed they should stop deducting payments. Until they receive this in writing they are still obligated to deduct payments.

On the flip side of the coin, the recipient awaiting payment will probably wait a minimum of 3 weeks before they get a cheque. This leads to another interesting situation. Where does all this collected money "sit" while awaiting distribution?

Let's Right The Wrong!

OK this blog will be open to ANY comments about FRO...the Family Responsibility Office, but I have to be honest. It is my intent to dramatically change the powers of the FRO. There is something very wrong when the powers of any government agency exceed the police.
I am about to end (or at least I think I am) my obligation for child support. Please don't get me wrong, I believe it is every parents responsibility to support their child, however there has to be a limit as to how far we as a society are willing to go to enforce government set child support rates. I'm hoping my lack of personal involvement will allow me to push for change without fear of reprisal.....this may sound dramatic but if you are familiar with the powers of FRO then you know what I mean, if not follow the blog.
This office has proven to be totally incompetent in every aspect of it's existence! While you follow the blog I'll give you the links and proof that even the auditor general feels it may well fail to meet it's mandate.
I invite anyone to post comments as they relate to the FRO, please DO NOT POST COMMENTS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CASES WHICH MAY PUT YOU IN LEGAL JEOPARDY. However comments may be left anonamously.