Whether you are working through the divorce process as a parent and expect to pay child support soon, you currently owe child support or you have already fallen behind on these obligations, it is pivotal to understand your options. From reviewing factors that influence child support orders to setting up a payment plan or modifying your child support order, having a clear idea of strategies to stay current is essential.
In addition, you should familiarize yourself with the possible penalties you could face if you fall behind.
Child support enforcement in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Social Services outlines the different ways in which the state enforces child support orders. For example, if a parent falls behind, they could lose their tax refund or their driver’s license. Also, the state can report back child support to credit bureaus and file a property lien over unpaid support.
In some instances, parents who do not pay child support face contempt of court charges. These charges could result in time behind bars.
Addressing unpaid child support
If you have already missed child support payments, you need to immediately go over ways to address the back support that you owe. For example, setting up a payment plan could help you manage what you owe and stay current. If you have recently experienced significant financial changes, such as losing your job, you could have the ability to modify your child support order. Child support modification can make monthly payments more feasible and this could help you avoid delinquency and the harsh penalties that come with back child support.
