# child support enforcement **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 4, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229 "2012-07-04T18:07:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zman88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@zman88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zman88)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/1 "2012-07-04T18:07:54Z")
Eight years ago I was divorced in Indiana with a decree stating that I not pay child support over christmas and summer breaks. The case was moved to Illinois where I was informed that I would need to pay support year round and that back support was owed for the eight years that I didn’t pay over these breaks. I promptly showed them the court order which clearly shows that I was not to pay but they ignored and started garnishing my wages and checking account. My question is can I sue child support enforcement in small claims court? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/2 "2012-07-04T18:10:08Z")
Reported for forum change. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/3 "2012-07-04T18:35:16Z")
Moving to GQ. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/4 "2012-07-04T19:15:21Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Moving to GQ. We actually prefer that real-life legal questions go in IMHO. MOved there. **samclem** , Moderator ---
**Author:** ![kp\_72110](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@kp\_72110](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kp_72110)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/5 "2012-07-04T19:18:15Z")
This is America. You can sue anyone. Hell you might even want to consider suing anyone that advises you to sue (or not sue). You also might want to consider suing them in a different state though because it’s not likely you’ll be given much favor in Illinois. I suggest Texas. Just remember though if you lose the case in Texas you go straight to death row. Texas. The state that has an express lane for the death penalty. Yeehaw. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/6 "2012-07-04T19:25:45Z")
This is why there are lawyers. Everything here is WAG or misinformation. Basically, either the collections people are stupid and dicks, or there is something you are not telling us (like the order was changed in Illinois). I assume if the case is reopened for changes in Illinois, then it overrides an earlier judgement in Indiana. Get a real lawyer. Listen to what he says. Or, move back to Indiana and reopen the case. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/7 "2012-07-04T19:32:24Z")
> [@zman88](#): > > Eight years ago I was divorced in Indiana with a decree stating that I not pay child support over christmas and summer breaks. The case was moved to Illinois where I was informed that I would need to pay support year round and that back support was owed for the eight years that I didn’t pay over these breaks. I promptly showed them the court order which clearly shows that I was not to pay but they ignored and started garnishing my wages and checking account. My question is can I sue child support enforcement in small claims court? IANAL but I highly doubt that you can sue someone to get back the judgement of another court. It might help any lawyers wandering by, if you actually explain what happened. You had a child support plan in place for 8 years and then the “case” was moved to Illinois? Have you been wrangling your ex-wife for 8 years or did she just take some new legal action? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/8 "2012-07-04T19:39:07Z")
Was that previous order proven to be determined based on false or misleading information? Get a lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-enforcement/627229/9 "2012-07-04T21:46:23Z")
Get a lawyer. But to answer your final question, almost certainly not. I mean, you can sue them, but government agencies acting in an official capacity are almost always immune from suit, unless you can prove an intentional or malicious violation of your rights. Did the court in IL modify the support order?