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Parents have an obligation to provide financial support for their children, even when they do not have custody over them. It is up to the courts to determine a reasonable amount of financial support, and these payments are mandatory.
Unfortunately, securing a child support order from your co-parent is only the first step. If they refuse to comply with the order, you may need the help of a Jacksonville child support enforcement lawyer. At the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A., we understand how important an experienced child support attorney can be to this process.
What Are the Consequences of Failing To Pay Child Support?
Refusing to make court-ordered child support payments can result in a number of consequences. As with any order issued by a judge, failure to comply can lead to significant penalties, including incarceration. However, judges will typically look for avenues to secure compliance other than sending a person to jail. Some of these tools include the following:
- Wage garnishments
- Tax credit seizure
- Property liens
- Passport restrictions
- Suspension of driving privileges
When you hire our child support enforcement lawyer in Jacksonville, you gain the peace of mind that comes with having the support of a seasoned professional.
How an Attorney Could Help You Enforce Child Support
When your co-parent falls behind on their child support payments, a local Jacksonville child support enforcement attorney could play an important role in resolving the issue. Often, the first step is to work directly with the co-parent to find a solution. Through negotiation, an attorney could encourage cooperation and help create a payment plan that allows the other parent to get caught up without further conflict. This approach may be invaluable in cases where hot tempers have led to the violation of a court order.
If informal efforts are unsuccessful, an attorney could take more formal action. This may include filing a motion for contempt with the court to compel compliance. By handling both negotiation and legal enforcement, an attorney ensures the matter is addressed effectively and with the child’s best interests in mind.
Modifying Child Support
When a parent cannot make these payments, there could be an opportunity to modify the existing court order. State law allows either parent to request a modification when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Change in a parent’s income is a common reason for seeking a modification to the order. If a parent loses a job, takes a lower-paying position, or conversely, receives a significant raise, the court may adjust the support amount to reflect the new financial situation.
Other circumstances can also justify a modification, such as changes in the child’s needs, increased medical expenses, or alterations to the time-sharing schedule. The parent seeking the change must petition the court and provide evidence showing that the modification is necessary and in the child’s best interests.
Sometimes, a parent can no longer afford the payments, but this does not give them the right to violate a court order. They must go through the court system and formally request a modification, and your Jacksonville child support enforcement attorney could fight these changes if they are unreasonable or unfair.
Talk to a Jacksonville Child Support Enforcement Attorney Today
If the other parent of your child is not making court-ordered support payments, it may be time to consider your legal options. You have the right to file a motion for contempt, but an attorney might be able to resolve this issue without the need for time-consuming litigation.
Reach out to a Jacksonville child support enforcement lawyer today to learn more. Problems? Pick Porter!™