If you cannot pay child support because you lost your job, or you worry about staying current due to a medical crisis you face, it is essential to go over your options. Sometimes, parents can modify their child support order to avoid falling behind, while others plan ahead and set up a payment plan. Regardless, make sure you do everything in your power to avoid becoming delinquent since missing payments can lead to harsh consequences.
You should familiarize yourself with the potential penalties that could arise for falling behind on child support.
Back child support and contempt of court charges
The Florida Department of Revenue outlines some of the possible court actions that parents face if they fall behind on child support payments. For starters, if a non-custodial party fails to pay support, they could find themselves held in contempt of court. In some instances, contempt of court charges can lead to time behind bars, if the court finds that the parent has the ability to pay a certain amount of support but they refuse, or if the parent does not show up in court.
Other penalties for missing child support payments
Aside from contempt of court charges, the court could order a parent to pursue job training or look for work if they fail to pay child support. Additionally, unpaid child support can lead to the loss of one’s driver’s license, financial penalties, a shattered reputation and passport revocation.
If you currently owe back child support, make sure you carefully review all of your options. If you worry about falling behind, strive to stay current and look into resources that could help.
