filing fees

[rippedoff]

I paid a filing fee of $252 to Marshall County Clerk to file a modification to child support. All I got back was a letter stating that it was not filed, and they kept my money  I responded by asking which forms were missing, and I got no response whatsoever. How can they keep this for "filing" if nothing was ever filed? Here's a list of what I sent in: Can you help? If I have to pay AGAIN I'll be angry, but it needs to be done. I'm trying to do this myself as I live in Florida now and don't want to have to attempt to hire a lawyer over the internet.

CS10
CS41 (and I attached two years worth of tax returns)
CS47

[anniewalker]

I can't tell you what was missing - but I can tell you that THEY cannot, either.  If they told you what was missing then that'd be giving legal advice and they aren't allowed to do that.

[Lee Borden]

I agree with Annie. You may have no choice but to ask a lawyer to look over what you filed and help you figure out what's missing.

I gather from the documints you DIDN'T file (like a Joint Petition to Modify and a CS-43) that you and the other parent aren't able to cooperate on this. All the more reason to hire a lawyer to help you make sure you do it right.

[rippedoff]

Thanks for the responses, but I still don't understand how they can keep a filing fee for something that was never filed. And no, we can't agree. Our original agreement was not set by the Rules of CS42, and now my income has changed, along with the travelling expenses, so the amount will be about 1/2. It will still be plenty to support our one child. The burden of this large child support is hurting me financially, but she doesn't see my point.

And I know the courthouse can't give legal advice, but I think that listing required documents wouldn't be advice; I'm not asking them how to fill them out. It's frustrating because I'm so far away. Has anyone out there filed for a modification? If so, which forms did you use? Many are on the alacourt.gov website. Thanks again for any info.