Facing charges over unpaid child support can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. It is important to understand the legal implications and consequences of not meeting your child support obligations.
If you owe back support, you should go over the potential consequences of not paying and steps you can take to address the situation.
Charges due to child support
The Department of Health and Human Services says that when a parent fails to make child support payments, they can face charges in Michigan. These charges typically arise after other methods to enforce a child support order prove unsuccessful.
One of the most common consequences of not paying child support is being charged with contempt of court. This means that the court has found you in violation of a court order, which can result in fines, jail time or other penalties. In addition, your wages may become garnished, your tax refunds seized or your driver’s license suspended.
Addressing child support challenges
If you are unable to make your child support payments due to financial hardship, communicate with the court and the other parent as soon as possible. You may be able to request a modification of your child support order based on a change in circumstances, such as a job loss or medical emergency. It is important to provide documentation of your financial situation to support your request for modification.
Remember, the well-being of your child should always be the top priority, and meeting your child support obligations is essential to their care and upbringing.