In an ideal economy, most parents rack up child support debt because they can’t afford the payments. The traditional solution for getting noncustodial parents to pay up is to send them to court and then jail if the judge finds them in contempt. This method has been proven to be ineffective, because sitting in jail makes it hard to earn money which in turn makes it harder to write checks.
It is not always the case that a parent doesn't want to pay their child support, it’s often that they can’t.
On May 21, 2013 Dr. Carlos Rivera a well respected and loved pediatrician was held in contempt for not being able to keep up with his astronomical child support payments while his ex wife sits home with no job. In my opinion, it takes two people to have sex and make a child. Both should be treated equally under the law, instead of forcing men to act as a welfare system for women. (Which was clearly the case here)

Here is the break down of the agreement that was made to which Dr Carlos Rivera could no longer afford:

 "Our “settlement agreement” was based on my peak salary of $190,000 from 2009 when I was still with my previous practice grossing 2.2 million dollars.  The divorce holds me responsible for the following monthly payments:

• Maintenance (until our youngest child turns 19; a total of 17 yrs.): $3000.00

• Child support: $6,000.00

• Health insurance (ex-wife and children) $1,295.00

• Car payment:   $600.00

• Car Insurance   $100.00

• Gas Expense (as stated by my ex):   $260.00

• Cell phone     $60.00

• House Maintenance (total 2009-2012: $24, 453.00)   $509.00

• 100% Pre-School Tuition:   $182.00

• 100% Extracurricular Activities:   $380.00

• One million dollar life insurance policy with my ex as beneficiary:   $580.00

• 100% marital debt (in 2009 totaled $93,800.00):             $2, 456.00

This amounts to over $15, 400.00 per month or $184,000 per year out of a GROSS salary of $190,000.00; and yes, my lawyer was there.  To make matters worse, the terminology is so vague that the contract has been vulnerable to each and every attack by my ex-wife.  Better yet, it is written so poorly that I was not only responsible for just her divorce legal fees, but any legal fees related to the divorce."

As if it isn't bad enough that Dr. Carlos Rivera is serving 6 months, has lost his practice that he had worked so hard to build, they are now preparing to revoke his medical license. Rendering it impossible to practice medicine again. NYS has the authority to revoke professional & drivers licenses due to "unpaid child support". The professional licenses are usually the last resort. They usually take the drivers license FIRST because it is to cause a hindrance to him, yet not cripple him from earning a living. However, they are going after his professional license first.  In addition, His commissary account has a court order to be seize and any of his money on this accout will be send directly to his ex wife. Depriving Carlos Rivera of every day items. (underwear, socks, toothbrush, paper etc) 

I am starting this petition to raise awareness as well as justice for the unfair incarceration of Dr. Carlos Rivera. A bitter ex wife driven by greed as well as our once again failed justice system which has destroyed the life of a man who worked so hard to be where he once was. Years of school, years of hard work and dedication caring for the communities children should not go undone without a voice. By signing this petition, we can stand together to make a change, help me be the voice for Dr. Carlos Rivera as well as many other parents who have been failed by the family courts justice system or punished by a bitter ex. I asked that the court please re adjust the amount of payment support to Dr. Carlos Rivera's current salary, not revoke his medical license as well as lift his 6 month incarceration so he can go back to caring for the communities many sick and well children that need and love him. Let's keep the criminals in jail, not the parents who are struggling to be a welfare system.

Sincerely, Mrs. Luchese