Child support is an important issue for many families, parents and children. A child support obligation begins with a child support order. Failure to pay child support can have serious consequences which is why it is important to reach out and utilize available family law resources to address concerns related to child support such as an inability to pay required child support or a need to modify an existing child support order.
Failure to pay child support can result in serious consequences and penalties including civil court contempt; jail for up to 6 months, probation for up to 6 months and a fine of up to $500; seizure of the non-paying parent’s bank accounts; seizure of the non-paying parent’s federal and state tax returns; seizure of workers’ compensation or personal injury awards; liens being placed against property the non-paying parent owns; interception of lottery winnings; credit bureau reporting; suspension of a driver’s license, professional license, occupational license or recreational license; and passport denial, as well as other possible consequences and penalties.
It may be possible to modify a child support order based on certain circumstances such as a significant change in circumstances for either the parent or the child. It is important that parents never ignore child support obligations, even if they are struggling to meet them. The family law process provides resources to help parents establish a child support order, modify a child support order and to enforce a child support order when needed.
Child support issues and concerns can be understandably significant for parents which is why it is helpful for them to understand the family law process and how it can help them with their concerns. Knowing how the child support process works can help parents prepare for a respond to their child support concerns.
Source: Statelaws.findlaw.com, “Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement,” Accessed July 27, 2017