Family law courts in Florida, and elsewhere, regularly order parents to pay child support. At Sparkman Law Firm, we understand the burden that you may be forced to bear if your child’s other parent does not follow through with his or her financial obligations. In this post, we will discuss some of the methods the state may employ in order to enforce child support payments.
When parents do not make their child support payments, the Florida Department of Revenue may send income withholding notices to their employers. Through such orders, employers will withhold a specified amount from parents’ wages and income. The funds are then sent to the Department of Revenue and are applied toward his or her child support obligations.
The state may also collect owed child support from certain state benefits. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, the state may deduct up to 40 percent of parents’ reemployment benefits for their child support. Likewise, a portion of people’s workers’ compensation benefits, including lump sum payments, may be taken and applied toward their child support obligations.
Sometimes, parents who neglect to make their child support payments have assets and funds. The Florida Department of Revenue points out that the state may place liens on boats or motor vehicles that are registered to parents who owe $600 or more in back child support. The state may also garnish past-due child support payments from parents’ banks or other financial institutions.
License suspensions are another action that the state may take in order to enforce child support orders. Parents who fall behind on their payments may have their driver’s licenses suspended, as well as their business, recreational and professional licenses. This includes construction, medical, dental and law licenses.
For more information about the financial responsibilities of parents toward their children, please visit our Child Support page.
