Anyone Know? Do you have to be divorced in order to get child support for a child of that marriage?

We live in PA. My daughter is in a TERRIBLY abusive relationship. She keeps telling me that she can't afford to leave her husband because she won't be able to afford her own children. Does she need to have a signed divorce in order to collect support from the children's father.Anyone Know? Do you have to be divorced in order to get child support for a child of that marriage?
Divorce in PA is notorious for giving the woman the short end of the stick. If she's serious about divorce and being financially stable, she should move to Maryland (take her children) and file there. I know of a few cases involving these two states (from both gender sides) and men win in PA (win=don't have to pay a penny), women win in Maryland (I know of a case where the woman got a divorce a long time after she left her husband and took the kids to Maryland and filed. The state of Maryland went after this guy and forced a ton of money out of him. They REALLY stick up for kids rights, well, womens rights....)





Just my experience. I can't guarantee 100% of cases but I've seen at least 3 or 4 couples go through divorce in these states, and the outcome happened to be always the same...Anyone Know? Do you have to be divorced in order to get child support for a child of that marriage?
I'm from PA and no I was not divorced and got child support.

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oh my god.... f you.
She dosen't have to be divorced to receive child support.


If they've been married long enough, she may even get alimony or spousal support.





She'll leave when she's fed up. Anyone that makes excuses like this is simply not able (mentally) to leave the relationship.





Check the yellow pages for women's shelters. She may not need to go to a shelter, BUT they can give you some advice that may help you to help your daughter.





I'm terribly sorry that your family is going through this.
In Ohio you do not have to be divorced. Here you just go to Job and Family Services and apply and they will take care of it from there.
Of course not. She can apply for separate support, sometimes called a legal separation. She gets an order for him to leave the house, pay the house bills and pay child support. And if she needs it, a spousal abuse order for him to keep away from her and the children.
Get ahold of a lawyer. The first consultation is free.


The way the system is everywhere. You can not do anything that deals with this without a lawyer to protect your interests. And remember...grandparents have legal rights also.
No. All fathers must support their children. Good luck!
Not sure about Pa. In La., you do have to file for seperation. Check with an attorney.
nope you don't have to be, just go to family services or any family court.
My husband had refused to contribute to the household. i did file for child support while we were still married and living together and i won. i do live in PA.

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