Consequences of Not Paying Child Support
Child support is a legal requirement and consequence of going through with an official divorce that enforces a non-custodial parent to make monthly payments to the parent with full custody of their children. The noncustodial parent differs from the parent with full custody in that the non-custodial parent has fewer rights over the children and is allotted a limited duration of visiting time each week.
It is no surprise then that some non-custodial parents try to find ways around paying child support, sometimes due to resentment and other times because they ran out of money. If you are not being paid child support, then consult with a lawyer.
The Law on Child Support
The federal law concerning child support clearly states that not paying child support is considered illegal when done intentionally and without a legitimate reason. Anyone who does this faces a misdemeanor charge that can involve heavy fines and 6 months in prison. This applies even to those who are living in a different state than their child. Although this punishment only applies to those who did not pay child support for over a year. If someone does not pay child support for over 2 years, then that person will be charged with a felony that comes with expensive fines and 2 years in prison.
Reasons for Legal Consequences
The main reason that courts support legal consequences for skipping child support payments is due to society’s frustration with parents who can pay child support easily but choose not to out of stubbornness or ignorance. While some parents are choosing not to pay child support, others are barely able to make the monthly payments and may rely on programs to help them. The frustration stems from the realization that if even parents who are struggling to make the payments are making those payments, then the parents who can easily pay, have no excuse.
Oklahoma’s Child Support Laws
The amount of child support paid in Oklahoma can vary or be partially waived with court approval and partner agreement. Some settlements only require a certain amount of future child support payments by the non-custodial parent while others require a series of payments to a decided total payment.
How a Divorce Attorney Can Help You
A divorce attorney can help you when you have not received payments from your former partner for a certain period of time. Divorce lawyers are trained in the law and are therefore able to apply techniques to fix your situation if your partner denies your claims and attempts to discredit you.
Contact an Oklahoma Divorce Lawyer
If you are not being paid child support, then consider contacting a divorce attorney for guidance on what you can do. An attorney will be able to build the defense you need to put the child support plan back in order. Contact Putnam Law Office at (405)-849-9149 for consultation with a divorce lawyer to determine what steps can be taken to improve your situation. Mr. Putnam is an Oklahoma City, OK attorney who puts clients first and will work with you to protect your rights and finances.
