Child support orders carry the full weight of the courts. Parents who are subject to a child support order have a legal obligation to contribute financially toward the upkeep of their children.
Parents who receive child support frequently rely on those payments to cover basic costs for their children. If the other parent fails to pay what they should, their choices can lead to credit damage or even evictions. Those who have not received the child support they require can potentially take the matter to family court to request enforcement support.
How do the courts work to hold parents responsible for failing to pay ordered support?
There are many viable enforcement tactics
Child support enforcement often begins in the form of automatic wage deductions. If a parent has failed to voluntarily make payments in accordance with an order, arranging for the funds to come directly from a paycheck before it reaches the paying parent is a viable option.
In cases where people quit their jobs or otherwise take aggressive steps to avoid paying child support, the courts may need to utilize more robust enforcement tactics. The state can potentially intercept gambling winnings or tax returns. In some cases, the state may refuse to issue certain licenses, including driver’s licenses, professional licenses or recreational licenses.
Judges can even issue bench warrants to hold people accountable for their contempt of court when they fail to pay child support as ordered. Particularly in cases where it is clear that a parent has intentionally avoided fulfilling their financial obligations, asking the courts for support might be necessary.
Parents frustrated by a lack of child support payments may need to take action to enforce or modify their existing orders. Family law judges can review situations to determine the right means of enforcing a child support order.
