What Happens in Florida if I Miss One Child Support Payment?

Florida law requires that all parents are legally obligated to support their children financially, regardless of whether or not they are still married. Parents must pay court-ordered child support in Florida. When you miss a payment (even one payment), it triggers a collection process. The result of this collection process could include jail time, fines, and other serious penalties. In this article, the Clearwater child support attorneys at Cairns Law, P.A. will discuss what happens to a parent who misses child support payments in Florida.

What happens if I miss one child support payment in Florida? 

Nothing good ensues from missing a child support payment. A notice of delinquency will be issued 15 days after you miss a child support payment. The notice is an official warning that you have an overdue payment.

Past-due child support payments are called arrearages. Child support arrearages do not have a statute of limitations. The State of Florida can collect child support arrearages for as long as necessary to recover back payments.

Those who miss child support payments will face sanctions from the court. Such sanctions include:

• Wage garnishment
• Seizure of your bank account
• Placing a lien on your real estate
• Seizing assets from your probate estate after you die (not even death gets you out of paying child support)
• Interception of tax refunds
• The entry of a judgment that accrues interest

The State of Florida can impose one or more of these penalties for failing to pay child support. The state can also suspend your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and license plate for child support arrearages. Further, it can revoke professional and business licenses and suspend your passport.

Failing to pay child support in Florida can result in a felony offense 

While missing one payment does not result in a felony, missing a substantial number of payments could. The court may find you guilty of felony child support delinquency if:

• You owe more than $2,500 in child support arrears
• You are four months or more behind on your child support payments
• You have a previous record of a conviction for failing to pay child support
• You are accused of trying to flee that state to avoid paying child support arrearages

A court could sentence an individual to jail or prison if they are convicted of contempt of court for felony child support delinquency. Depending on the circumstances, the judge could give you a short period of time to repay the arrears. If you are served with a motion for contempt for failing to pay child support, it is important that you seek the aid of a Clearwater child support attorney.

Talk to a Clearwater, FL Child Support Attorney Today 

Cairns Law, P.A. represents the interests of individuals seeking to recover child support payments or those on the hot seat for failing to make child support payments. Call our Clearwater family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.