Non-Payment of Child Support in Florida

Non-Payment of Child Support in Florida

In the state of Florida, these are the detailed consequences of non-payment of child support by a parent to a minor:

– The delinquent parent may have their driver’s license suspended.
– The delinquent parent may have their professional licenses suspended.
– The delinquent parent may be denied a passport.
– The delinquent parent may have their tax refunds intercepted.
– The delinquent parent may have liens placed on their property.
– The delinquent parent may be reported to credit agencies as delinquent on their child support payments, which can damage their credit score.
– The delinquent parent may be held in contempt of court, which can result in fines or even jail time.
– The delinquent parent may have wage garnishment orders issued against them, meaning that a portion of their wages will be withheld from their paycheck and sent to the other parent to cover the delinquent child support payments.

If you are a parent who is struggling to make your child support payments, it is important to reach out to your local child support office or a legal professional to discuss your options. There may be programs available to help you catch up on your payments or arrange a new payment plan. It is also important to keep in mind that if you do fall behind on your payments, taking action as soon as possible can help minimize the consequences you may face.

Legal proceedings that take place when a parent becomes delinquent on child support payments in Florida are a result of what is called contempt of court. The delinquent parent will be notified of the proceedings and given the opportunity to explain why they have not made their payments. If the parent is unable to show cause, they may be held in contempt of court and be subject to fines, jail time, or both. The judge may also order the delinquent parent to make up for missed payments by paying a lump sum or by increasing their monthly payments. If the parent fails to comply with the court’s order, they may be found in contempt of court again and face additional penalties.

The parent that is owed child support payments can file documents and motions such as an Income Withholding Order or a Property Lien in order to collect the payments that are owed. The state of Florida also has the option to suspend the driver’s license, professional license, or hunting and fishing license of a parent that is delinquent on their child support payments.

If you are a parent that is owed child support payments, or a parent that is behind on their payments, it is important to seek legal assistance to help you navigate the process and ensure that your rights are protected. An experienced attorney at Kemp Ruge and Green can help you understand the contempt of court process and what options are available to you.