Child support disputes can often seem like a hotly contested battle. Often times, the dispute involves a custodial parent trying to collect the payments and a non-custodial parent who is willing to pay but unable to. This could be due to unemployment, costly medical bills or some other type of financial hardship. However, sometimes the child support dispute in Georgia and elsewhere involves a misunderstanding.

That may be the case with U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., who represents the 8th Congressional District of Illinois. In December 2010, his ex-wife filed a claim for $117,000 in back child support and interest. Walsh says he does not owe any child support. The pair have been battling in Cook County Circuit Court for nine years, with the ex-wife repeatedly claiming that she is owed back child support. Walsh has at times had his wages garnished in lieu of payments.

According to Walsh, the two made a verbal agreement that he did not have to pay child support. He also claims that he had full custody of their youngest child for almost a year, during which time he received no assistance from his ex-wife. Details regarding the age of the child and when the marriage ended were not available. The ex-wife says there was never any verbal agreement.

It may be that there was a misunderstanding between the two parties. Nonetheless, as many Georgia parents know, collecting child support can seem like an exercise in futility at times. Those seeking child support and those having trouble paying it may well benefit from consulting with an experienced family law attorney. The attorney may be able to persuade a court to issue a child support order or, if necessary, seek a modification of the payments.

Source: The Sun-Times, "Rep. Joe Walsh: I had 'verbal' deal not to pay child support," Abdon Pallasch, Oct. 13, 2011