As difficult as it is already to keep the peace with an ex, failure to keep up with child support payments is an unforgivable offense for most single parents. Raising a child is challenging enough without the physical, emotional, and overall support of the other parent. When financial support stops too, most parents can’t afford to be patient. So, what’s the best course of action?
Familiarize Yourself with the Law and Your Agreement
First off, you should familiarize yourself with the law in your area, in addition to reviewing the agreement you made in court. If a payment is late or missing, try to resolve it in a civil manner before immediately contacting your lawyer. Request a mutual meeting place to discuss the matter without the children present. Never bring it up during drop-offs. Listen to your ex’s concerns and suggest compromises if they are truly struggling. For example, if you’re used to splitting extra expenses for the children in half, you can offer to pay the full amount for the children’s private school tuition this month if they pay the full bill next month.
Address Time Sharing Concerns
Usually, a decline in child support payments goes hand-in-hand with slacking on time sharing. Whether the support checks are coming in or not, as the custodial parent, you have an obligation to support and encourage the other parent to be a positive and consistent role model in your child’s life. If you notice your ex missing more visitations than usual, sit down and discuss any problems with the schedule or other conflicts that are getting in the way of this important parental duty. Try to be flexible and accommodate their schedule, since this will help you do what’s best for your children.
Income Withholding and Legal Action
If your ex is frequently late with child support payments and isn’t cooperative in your attempts to solve the issue one-on-one, consider sending in a request for income withholding through this electronic filing system. If you have any necessary information about your ex’s form of employment compensation, contact the Office of Child Support Enforcement immediately. For example, if you found out that your ex was getting paid under the table, you could report this violation and ensure proper accounting for their income.
Consult with a Family Law Attorney
Before you take legal action, consider obtaining advice from a qualified family law attorney. The experienced team at DiPietro Family Law Group ca