Child Support and Fathers' Rights
Learning of the stiff penalties associated with child support arrears, such as the suspension of a business or driver's license, can be tough. You might think that penalties have piled up through no fault of your own. You might even be unaware of the consequences of unpaid child support until you apply for a credit card or when you receive a notification that your bank account has been frozen.
What Penalties can I Expect for Child Support Arrears?
You can expect to endure several different penalties for unpaid child support.
- It's possible for your wages to be garnished
- Lowered credit score because you've been reported to credit bureaus
- Liens could be placed on real estate
- Driver's license or business license suspension
- Frozen bank accounts
- You might even serve time in jail
What Happens if I can't Pay?
Unfortunately, child supports payments are among the few types of debts that can't be eliminated during the bankruptcy process. If a non-custodial parent can't afford to pay off the debt, a modification request should be filed so that the courts are aware of a change in financial status. Keep in mind that if a motion isn't filed, a default judgment could be rendered against you.
How is Repayment Enforced?
Child support is enforced by the state, however, procedures for enforcement usually don't vary widely across states. The non-custodial parent will receive a notice concerning the process of how to adhere to payment time frames and other necessary instructions. If a significant amount of payment is owed, or if an unacceptable amount of time has passed, the consequences include jail time or probation.
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