When you owe child support but haven’t paid it, you could potentially face some serious charges. Child support laws are different in every state as are the formulas used to calculate what is owed. Legal experts have some tips about child support, how the system works and how to avoid jail time.
Defining Child Support In Florida
Child support is money paid by one parent to the other parent (custodial) for the purpose of providing financial support to a child or children. These are court-ordered funds.
The system was established in 1975 by then-President Gerald Ford and has come a long way.
In Florida, child support is designed to cover the needs of raising a minor child that a parent must meet on a regular basis. Some of these would include food, shelter and clothing. The payments also cover education, sports, activities and travel, etc.
Penalties For Skipping Payments
Here in Miami, if you have not made a child support payment by the due date, and it remains unpaid for 15 days, the Clerk’s Office can send a Notice of Delinquency. If the delinquency plus fees are not paid within 20 days, a judgment is entered against you. The judgment becomes a lien against any real property owned by you.
An Income Deduction Order can be placed against you. This court order requires an employer to deduct a specified amount from the obligated parent’s payroll.
You may also find that your right to get behind the wheel has been taken away. The custodial parent can request that the Clerk of the Court suspend the non-custodial parent’s Florida Driver’s License when child support payments become delinquent.
You’ll have a number of chances to correct the issue and make up the payments you owe before jail time enters the picture.
Landing Behind Bars Can Happen
The potential for jail can occur when you fail to pay child support. You could be found in contempt of court if all of the above avenues have been exhausted and you have still neglected to meet this obligation.
If you have been able to pay but refused to do so, you could find yourself behind bars. The judge can sentence you for refusing to pay child support and incarcerate you for up to five months and 29 days without a jury trial.
Knowing Your Options And How To Proceed
Having a legal expert on your side can make all the difference, and sitting down for a free consultation is the first step. You don’t want the matter to spiral out of control.
Let an experienced and trusted defense attorney review your circumstances and help you proceed.
Roy J. Kahn, with years of legal experience in a wide variety of criminal law, heads a “boutique” firm, which means that your attorney is Roy J. Kahn, not a paralegal. If you have been charged or are about to be charged with a crime—or if you have been contacted to be a witness in a federal grand jury case, you need a qualified defense. You should consult with an attorney immediately and know that you have a right to make no statement until you have consulted with an attorney To contact Mr. Kahn, he can be reached at 305-358-7400.
Roy J. Kahn, with years of legal experience in a wide variety of criminal law, heads a “boutique” firm, which means that your attorney is Roy J. Kahn, not a paralegal. If you have been charged or are about to be charged with a crime—or if you have been contacted to be a witness in a federal grand jury case, you need a qualified defense. You should consult with an attorney immediately and know that you have a right to make no statement until you have consulted with an attorney To contact Mr. Kahn, he can be reached at 305-358-7400.
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