The Child Support Enforcement Act of 1984 goes a long way in helping people collect child support from another parent or ex-spouse who refuses to follow a court order.
Of course, there is more to this law than meets the eye. As somebody attempting to collect child support, it’s imperative to know your options and how the court may react.
Generally speaking, there are several ways to ensure that child support is paid. While a jail sentence is a possible penalty, this is typically a last resort. Instead, the following are imposed first:
— Garnishing wages.
— Withholding federal tax refunds to use the money to pay support.
— Seizing property.
— Suspending a business license or occupational license.
Along with the above, here’s a little known fact: The United States Department of State can deny the issuance of a passport in the event that a person owes $2,500 or more in back child support.
If you are due child support on a monthly basis, you hope that the other party pays in full and on time. However, if this doesn’t happen for any reason, it’s good to know that the court can take steps in helping you collect.
Although you may believe you will never run into issues with collecting child support, it’s hard to say what the future holds. There could come a point when a former spouse no longer wants to pay support, thus leading you to consider all your options. If this happens, make sure you know the steps to take to move forward as quickly as possible.
Source: FindLaw, “Enforcement of Child Support: FAQ’s,” accessed Aug. 04, 2016
