Edwards v. Smith

THIGPEN, Judge.

In June 1988, the State of Alabama ex rel. Helen Mae Smith (mother) filed a complaint against Tommy Edwards (father) in the Family Court of Jefferson County, Alabama, alleging Edwards to be the father of Smith’s child, who was born in 1986. The record reflects service of process by certified mail. Following a hearing held in August 1988, which the father did not attend, the trial court found Edwards to be the father, and it ordered him to pay $25 per week as child support, beginning August 12, 1988. In January 1992, the State filed a contempt petition against the father,…