If you are in the early stages of getting a divorce and you have children, it is important to think about child support. If you expect to owe support, you need to review the different factors that courts analyze when determining how much support a non-custodial parent owes.
Also, you should realize the potential consequences associated with missing child support payments.
Child support enforcement actions
The Attorney General of Texas covers the different ways in which the state enforces child support orders. If you fail to pay support, you could have a lien placed on your bank account, retirement plan or property. You could lose your driver’s license as well as your hunting, fishing or professional license. In addition, failing to pay support could lead to the loss of your passport privileges.
In fact, you could have to spend time behind bars due to unpaid child support. Parents who do not pay support sometimes find themselves held in contempt of court.
Addressing child support challenges
Whether you lose your job or you suffer a serious health crisis, financial hardships can arise for many reasons. Child support obligations often last for many years, and it is pivotal to prepare for the future and understand your options if you fall behind or have concerns about your ability to stay current.
Aside from saving money and setting up a payment plan, you could have the option to modify your child support order if your financial situation has changed considerably. Do everything in your power to pay child support on time and avoid the harsh penalties that can arise due to missing payments.