Shared Bank Account Concerns

Summary

In Maine, child support enforcement can garnish joint bank accounts for owed child support. You can protect your portion by providing evidence like pay stubs. Child Support Services can also intercept tax refunds, but you might qualify for an Injured Spouse Allocation if you file jointly. Consult a local attorney or the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for more details.

Full Conversation

My husband has to pay child support. If we have a shared bank account, will they take my money?
Hello ****. Location often affects the answer to this. Can you please tell me where you are located?
South Paris Maine *
In Maine, child support enforcement can potentially garnish a joint bank account. They can take the amount owed by your husband. However, you can claim your portion of the money by providing evidence that it is yours.
.
****, do you have records showing which parts of the funds in the shared account are yours? This could be pay slips, tax returns, or other documents.
Do pay stubs count?
Yes, ****, pay stubs can be used as evidence to show your income and contributions to the joint account, thus distinguishing your funds from your husband's in the context of child support enforcement.
Will child support take my takes for his kids?
Hello ****, in Maine:
- Child Support Services can potentially enforce payment through tax refund interception if your husband owes back child support.
- However, if you file joint tax returns, you might qualify for an "Injured Spouse Allocation" to protect your portion of the refund.
- For more details, you might want to consult a local attorney or the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.