If I left my family over 20 years ago and my wife eventually had me declared dead and she received state assistance, can I be held liable if I reappear?
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If I left my family over 20 years ago and my wife eventually had me declared dead and she received state assistance, can I be held liable if I reappear?
She eventually had me declared dead so that she could remarry. now have an opportunity to re-establish myself into my childrens lives. I need to know could this lead to being responisble for back state support. No child supports was ever sought, as far as I know. All of my children are over 21 and have families of their own. Will I be opening a can of financial worms if I now come back into their lives? I live in another state.
Asked on March 29, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Colorado
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
I suggest that you immediately consult with a family law attorney about the situation that you are writing about. If you disappeared from your family without a trace and were later declared dead by a superior court in this country, you very well could be held accountable for repaying the state where your wife and children were living for receiving any and all state assistance (AFDC) and even social security benefits under federal law.
Additionally, law enforcement will also need to speak with you for the reasons why you disappeared in that most likely a missing person's report was filed regarding you by your wife.
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