Legal Question in Family Law in Wisconsin

Child support issue considering inheritance

I am a disabled retiree on SSI, there is no amount designated for child support

because I have no income. My father just past away and left me a sum of money in his estate. My ex-girlfriend is now trying to get a percentage of my

inheritance for the two children we had together. I feel that this would be unfair

and cause a hardship on my new wife of five years and our three year old son.

What can I do? What is the law on inheritance and child support?


Asked on 10/15/99, 10:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Carolyn J. Stevens CJ Stevens|Law

Re: Child support issue considering inheritance

Let me make absolutely sure I'm clear on this. You have two children from a previous relationship. You do not pay child support to help their mother support them. You stand to receive an inheritance. You think it would be a hardship on the new wife and the new child if you use that inheritance to meet your moral obligation to support your children from a previous relationship. Is that about it?

You have a moral and a legal duty to support your children. Their mother has apparently supported them without your help more than five years. What about the hardship on her and your other two children? You now have the means to meet your moral and legal duty. I fail to see the problem.

If you want to protect your stash from your children, you should seek legal counsel in your state to interpret the child support regulations.

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Answered on 10/18/99, 9:19 pm


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