Dear Jackie,

My ex-husband has a history and is currently in default in child support payments for our 12-year-old daughter. He is supposed to pay over $200 a month. I live in Broward County, Fla., and he lives in St. County, Fla. I've tried talking to him but I don't get far. He complains that he doesn't have enough money and he's out of work. He is a registered nurse. He has every other weekend visitation rights, and I have primary residential rights and ultimate decision making authority. What can I do to receive child support without having to repeatedly ask for it? -- Vivian from Broward County, Fla.

Hi, Vivian,

There is help available for you in Florida, as there is in all states. The Florida Department of Revenue enforces child support orders from exes who refuse to pay. Here is the link: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/childsupport/about_us.html. You can file your case in Broward County. Your husband is on the hook for all past child support and that will continue until he gets the order modified. Contact the Dept. Of Revenue and get your case filed. Let them help you. If your ex claims that he is not working when you get to court, hopefully the judge will ask why and motivate him to pay his support.

Dear Jackie,

I received a check from a company and it bounced. The bank noted "Refer to Maker" on the check, and when I called the company, they claim that they changed the name - yet they are still in business. Do I have any recourse? -- Rochelle from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Hi, Rochelle,

It is a bit difficult for me to know exactly what happened since you gave me so little info. If you received a check and it bounced, the check is no good. Since you're able to reach the company and they told you they changed their name, then you should contact them again and tell them to pay it. I suggest you send a certified letter explaining what happened and demand payment. Without knowing more, that is the best that I can do.

Dear Jackie,

My son had a trust agreement drawn up, and his attorneys were very slow with finalizing it, even though my son was emailing them to send the final doc. He was battling cancer and subsequently passed away two years ago. He left his life insurance to his friend to act as trustee. The life insurance was left to him solely and was not signed by my son before he passed. The friend has not opened a trust for my granddaughter, and he opened an investment account in his name and has added his wife's name. The bank told me that my granddaughter is protected, but if the friend dies, doesn't his wife inherit the funds? Is there anything I can do to find out? -- Sheila from Nashville, Tenn.

Hi, Sheila,

If your son never signed the trust document there is no trust. I would call the bank and ask how they believe your granddaughter is protected. You should make an appointment to consult with a lawyer who handles estates and ask these very same questions. Estate law is tricky and getting advice from an expert is your best option under these circumstances.

(Jackie Glass is a lawyer and former district court judge from Las Vegas, Nev. Submit your legal questions to Jackie by emailing askjudgejackie@gmail.com. You can follow her on Twitter at @theJudgeGlass. This column is being provided for informational purposes only. It may not be relied upon by you as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.)