In order to enforce child support, you must have a child support order signed by a judge
and filed with a court clerk’s office. If you don’t already have a court-approved child support order on file, you’ll need to take steps to legally establish child support.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, once a child support order is established, the Child Support Program works with families and partners to help children receive the support they need and deserve. When there is a lack of voluntary compliance with a support order, the Program can take additional steps to achieve compliance.
The Child Support Program has a variety of methods which may be used to assist a parent in complying with their support order. This includes situations when a parent does not pay, does not reach a written agreement with the Program or if a parent contests the action being taken against them. State and federal laws apply to how and when certain methods can be used. The Child Support Program also partners with other state child support agencies when one parent lives in another state.
A written agreement is a promise a parent makes with the Child Support Program to pay their past-due support, usually through regular monthly payments. Written agreements are used when a parent who owes past-due support is unable to pay the past-due amount all at once. If a parent is not paying support as ordered, the Program may ask them to complete a written agreement. Parents can contact the Child Support Program by email, phone or web chat to request to begin the written agreement process. Written agreements can be completed on the telephone without the need to visit an office.
It is possible that the state will suspend the drivers license of the offending party for no payment. It is possible that the state will withhold funds from the offending party’s paycheck. The state may initiate court actions to enforce payment. The state may place a lien on motor vehicles or boats owned by the offending party.
If you are having an issue collecting child support, you should call Steve Hair for an appointment. Steven W. Hair, focuses his practice as a divorce attorney, family law attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and Safety Harbor.
For more information, visit our website at www.FamilyLawClearwater.com
or call (727) 726-0797.