Child Maintenace - Family Law Courts

_Goldilocks_

Hi, I started this thread in the parenting section but hopefully someone might know more from a legal point of view here.

I broke up with the father of my child in 1998/99 or so when my daughter was about 3. I went to court to sort out a proper custody arrangement and to get maintenance. I was awarded £50 per week, which was paid for a couple of weeks and then stopped. He was also awarded visitation one day a week.

He moved shortly afterwards and left no forwarding address so I had no way of knowing where he was or contacting him.

He recently 'popped up' as a friend suggestion on Facebook because we have two mutual friends.

From looking at his facebook page, he seems to be doing quite well, nice apartment, driving a jeep, expensive guitar, 2 pedigree dogs.

He's a musician so has never really held down a steady job or paid income tax. He is probably claiming social welfare (he always did in the past, when he was making nice money gigging on the side).

Do I have a case to go back to the Family Law Courts? All I have is a mobile number, his name, his date of birth and an idea of where he is living... still no address. I'm not sure if the law courts would be able to find him based on that or?

And if I did go back to the Family Law Courts could the maintenance be backdated at all or would it just start from now?

Are there penalties for men who refuse to pay the maintenance that they agreed to?

I did try ringing the Family Law Courts but they never answer the phone so would appreciate any advice before going into them.

_Goldilocks_

ps.. just want to stress I'm not actually looking for any legal advice just regular advice from anyone that might know a bit more about Family Law.

Milk & Honey

The Courts don't look for anybody. It would be up to you to trace him and satisfy the court that he had been served with papers.

_Goldilocks_

That's what I thought. Thanks for the repy.

Boruma

Can you private message me