Complaint Review: Arizona Child Support DES

In December of 2003 my ex fiance advised me that I was the father of her 1 month old boy. I was very confused and not sure if I should believe her. I first saw my son in February of 2004 and days later I went to the Arizona Department of Economic Service and filed a request for DNA.

I never heard from them, on December 2004 I was served with a court date to establish child support. I again went to DES and requested DNA testing. I was told it would be 3 to 4 weeks. DNA was actually taken about 6 to 7 months later. The results found me to be the father.

The court date was set for March of 2006. I was ordered to pay 600.00 + 150.00 back support of 16,000. I made around 38,000 per year and my ex a business owner net 120,000 but paid herself 6.00 an hour her gross was shy of 18,000.

To date my payments are taken out of my check and my wife and I have adjusted our expense and understand it is not forever. Here is the problem and my complaint. In November of 2006 I had 1300.00 in my joint bank account with my current wife. I went to the bank and was advised DES had placed a levy of 1050. I called DES and advised them I was making all my required payment the court had requested. The DES told me they were collecting the 16,000. in back payment. I advised them they had taken 3 weeks of pay which pay my bills at the end of the month. She explained to me that since they could not take my entire check they had placed a levy on my bank account. I filed paper work requesting to stop the levy because the account was joint and DES rejected my request and left me 256.00 for the month to pay bills. I called again and they explained to me I failed to provide receipts to my bank account. The person I spoke to said I could resume adding funds to my account "OK".

Here is my question if the law prohibits them from taking my entire check what gives them the right to enter my bank account and take all my wages.

I was fine paying the 750.00 a month, but the levy and continued liens really has placed a burden on me. I feel like I am reaching the edge, and just don't give a d**n about anything.
The levy really hurt, DES should have seen my effort and like the Judge said as long as I paid monthly in 5 years the back payment would be paid.

I am to the point of walking out of my job, and packing our stuff up and moving to Mexico or take another ID.

JRD
Yuma, Arizona
U.S.A.