accepting child support and not notifying c'link can be seen as defrauding the system, so you really need to notify of the money you've been receiving. the fact you have contact and it's not a situation of DV, you shouldn't have an exemption on your file. it is ONLY there for situations of paternity unknown or threats of violence, not for threats of custodial challenges. that's part and parcel of being a seperated parent.

living six hours away doesnt' negate his financial obligation to the child. paying child support does not automatically entitle him to access to the child. it would have to go through mediation and through the courts if access could not be agreed. there is no judge that would grant shared custody at this point - he MAY be granted visitation - and really, it's your childs father - if there is no violence, maybe this is something you should be striving for anyway!

you need to upfront with c'link. all it would take is ONE phone call from him or someone that knows him to report he's been paying child support, and it could get you in a bit of a pickle with payments being made that you may not have been entitled to - as soon as you resume contact and there is no threat of physical violence, you need to tell c'link. even WITH a threat of violence, if he's paying you child support, you need to fess up

this might sound a bit blunt, but others will read this so i want to make it very clear - if you don't report all money's received when you have an exemption, you may have a debt raised against you or it may even go further in regards to charges for defrauding the government - NOT where you want to be going!