Kathleen Threatt was hauled to court for failing to pay child support 12 years past its due date ... it was for 63 cents!
Threatt called the court thinking it was a misunderstanding, because not only are her children no longer children, but she's also a grandmother by both of them.
She even remembers receiving a letter at the conclusion of her child support duties saying she had paid in full. Somehow, some small change slipped through the cracks and resurfaced nearly 12 years past its due date.
"My problem is the waste of resources," she said. "This is crazy."
"It's a waste, but that's part of what we do, unfortunately," said Sumter County Clerk of Court Jamie Campbell. "We don't have the authority to wipe it away."
Link - via On Deadline
Second, no we have no common sense. The amount it would have cost the county to send this to trial versus the fine they'd be receiving is just ridiculous, especially considering the court said she was paid.
This is like receiving bank statements that have some less than postage amount. Come on people.
This is why we pay taxes.
For one, it dehumanizes the role of a parent, declaring that the role of a parent is a purely monetary one. You can buy them supplies, teach them how to paint, take them to the zoo, offer to spend as much time as you want, pour your hearts out to them...but none of it will subtract one cent from it.
The #1 reason for parents in the child support system to lose their job is having to go to court many times for various reasons.
Child support basically criminalizes parenthood (in particular fatherhood, because usually it's the dad who gets enmeshed in it).
Once in the system, you are treated basically like a criminal. Even if you pay the money, you are still given the respect treated to anyone wrapped up in the court system - which is none.
I had a friend who refused to pay his payment because the mother had become an alcoholic and drug abuser who was treating the kids like shit. He was available to them 24/7, and spent a lot of time and love with them. He eventually got reamed, the judge refused to listen to his side.
I understand it is silly to the uneducated like neotko, but without laws you have chaos.
If the stop sign says STOP, it doesn't mean part of the time.