A woman from North San Diego has successfully sued for child support from her 'deadbeat ex,' 50 years after he left the U.S. for Canada without paying a dime for the couple's three-year-old daughter.

Toni Anderson, 73, told 10News that her ex-husband, Donald Lenhart, moved to Canada rather than paying court ordered child support in the early 1970s to their daughter Lane.

Donald Lenhart is now living back in the U.S., in Oregon.

Toni Anderson (pictured right) with her daughter Lane Lenhart (left, in an undated photo) whose father left when she was three years old

Anderson (right) said she supported her daughter, Lane (left) growing up while working as an interior designer in Los Angeles

Anderson (left) says she gave Lane (right) the best she could and sent her to college in Paris

'I realized in the middle of the night one night last year, 'Hey, there's no statute of limitations on child support,' she said.

Anderson looked up old court papers and last month notified her ex-husband that she was looking for him to pay up.

'He was only supposed to give me like a 160 dollars a month,' Anderson said.

She worked out that what he was due to pay per month 50 years ago is now considerably more in today's money.

Anderson looked up old court papers and last month notified her ex-husband that she was looking for him to pay up

'He was only supposed to give me like a 160 dollars a month,' Anderson said, referring to the amount owed over 50 years ago

Anderson (pictured) says she wants other single parents in California to be aware that they can still collect unpaid child support at any time

Anderson says she wants other single parents in California to be aware that they can still collect unpaid child support at any time.

Her message to ex's who haven't paid what they owe is to watch out.

Anderson says she gave her daughter the best she could and sent her to college in Paris, but admits that now she is retired money is tight and she rents out part of her house.

Anderson (above) admits that now she is retired money is tight and she rents out part of her house

Daughter, Lane Lenhart, (above) runs the firm in Los Angeles where her mother worked as an interior designer

Lane seen here in 2016. Toni Anderson's lawyer, Sara Yunus, said a private hearing has resulted in a settlement of $150,000

She supported Lane growing up while working as an interior designer in Los Angeles. Her daughter has gone on to run the firm Anderson worked at.

Toni Anderson's lawyer, Sara Yunus, said a private hearing in Vista Court on Wednesday resulted in a settlement of $150,000, according to 10News.

Anderson's ex-husband's attorney hasn't responded to requests for comments.