Dead beat Dennis

I was married to Dennis Gordon Hunter. We had two children together. January 1998 we separated and I moved to my parents home with our children. Dennis was involved physically with the kids for about 6 months after our separation. I received $1805.00 in child support in the first 9 months of 1998. ($200 per mo) September 1998 he said he was off to Calgary for work. That information was false. He was highly involved with drugs and alcohol and stopped working all together.

My divorce was granted March, 15, 1999. At this time the childrens child support arrears were registered with FMEP, the family maintenance enforcement program in BC. For 2 children he was required to pay $521.00 per month.

In the past 10 years, he has not made ONE effort to see the children or has willingly paid any child support. The kids regularly see Dennis' parents at their home and in mine.

January 2009, I received papers from a lawyer in Regina, Saskatchewan. It requested that I "expunge" Dennis Hunter from all child support arrears and monies to be paid in the future. The most shocking detail was the reason he was requesting his debt be erased. He "re-married May 4th 2007 and had a son born Dec 9, 2007". He had a new family to support, he was burdened with debt and wasn't physically well.

To hire a lawyer to respond, I was required to pay a $5000.00 retainer. I figured to fight for $56,000.00 it would justify the money. The questions I had were numerous. How, if he can't afford to help out with our children, (and a daughter he had from a relationship prior to ours) how can he afford a Queens Council lawyer?

As our lawyers went back and forth for months, a lot of information was disclosed to me. Information that I did not know over the past 11 and a half years since our split. He has health issues that could and should have been disclosed right after our separation. Health issues that "required" him to stay bedridden, yet he moved 13 times in 9 years to 3 different provinces. Bedridden, yet he had at least 2 live-in girlfriends and managed to marry and have another child. (there is speculation of more) The running tally is 4 children, that I can absolutely confirm. 3 that he doesn't emotionally or financially support.

A court date was issued to be held in Regina on June 29th, 2009. (In a province my children have never resided) I found out this information June 16th, 2009. All other correspondence from Dennis' lawyer was sent via fax or email. This document was snail mailed. I had a lawyers appointment on Monday, June 22nd, 2009. While I sat in his office, he called Dennis' lawyer requesting a court date change so I could attend with my family. He complied and gave us a few dates but stated a firm date would be comfirmed by days end. I was also informed that Dennis no longer worked at his previous employer and he had NO job. The 23rd of June, I received an email stating a new court date of August 10th, 2009. The "catch" would be that there was to be no "wage garnishment" from FMEP until the court date. The FMEP was CC'd to my email. On June 24th, 2009 I received a message on my FMEP site stating Dennis Hunters wage garnishment was "inactive".

8:20am, July 2nd, 2009, I was forwarded an e-mail by my lawyers assistant. It read "On the Hunter file I have received PROVISIONAL ORDER CANCELLING THE ARREARS AND THIS WILL BE FORWARDED IN DUE COURSE. ". The hearing went to court on June 29th, 2009 as orginally planned without my knowledge!

How on earth is this justice? My children were robbed! Not only was I told the date was August 10th but I didn't have a chance to attend or at least, if nothing else, have an Affidavit there. My children were robbed at their right to even have a voice. I was told that it is only a provincial order and has to come to British Columbia now. This inevitably is more money out of my pocket because it should have been thrown out in Regina. The man has a history of working under the table and then quitting a job and moving as soon as FMEP finds him. His last employer has a running ad in the Leader Post requesting applicants. I'm gonna assume Dennis quit and didn't get fired.

I am currently waiting a BC court date. I am also looking for an advocate with a voice to help me in this matter.

The Canadian Council on Social Development estimates that the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 will cost $ 167,000,00. Including his older daughter, that is half a million dollars he's dumped onto other peoples shoulders. His newest child will be 2 in December. Based on history, it's just a matter of time before that number is $668,000,00!