Ex Behind In Paying Child Support In Fort Lauderdale? How To Get The Total Amount You Are Owed
Parents have a legal duty and a moral obligation to provide for their children. When they fail to do so, which is common in cases of divorce and unmarried couples, it hurts the other parent as well as the child. If you are facing this type of difficult situation, the law is on your side. Our Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer explains how to get the total amount you are owed.
Getting A Child Support Order In Fort Lauderdale Protects Your Rights
The Florida Statutes require parents to provide financially for their children, and there are strict child support guidelines the court follows. In cases of divorce, child support is automatically addressed as part of these proceedings. The amount of money the other parent must pay will depend on each person’s income, the child’s specific needs, and arrangements made as part of a Fort Lauderdale parenting plan.
If you are unmarried, you may be tempted to negotiate child support with the other party without going to court. This is generally a bad idea for two reasons:
- You will likely not get the total amount you are owed.
- You have zero legal options if the other parent falls behind in payments or refuses to pay.
As an unmarried parent, you would need to establish paternity through the Broward County Court first. This is a fast, painless procedure that our Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer can guide you through. Once paternity is established, the judge will often issue a child support order as well.
Enforcing Payments For Child Support In Fort Lauderdale
Even if the other parent is willing to provide financially for their child, situations can arise that cause them to either stop or fall behind in child support payments. In the eyes of the law, there is simply no excuse for not providing for children. Even if they lost their job, a judge will impute an amount, based on their prior experience and training.
If they do stop making payments or they fall behind, having a formal child support order in Fort Lauderdale entitles you to take enforcement efforts. They can be found in contempt of court and may face fines as well as jail time. They can also be subjected to legal actions through the Florida Department of Revenue. These include:
- Wage garnishment;
- Seizure of bank accounts or other assets;
- Seizure of tax refunds and state lottery winnings;
- Suspension of their business and driver’s license until the debt is paid.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Child Support Lawyer Today
Child support plays a vital role in making sure your child has what they need. Getting a formal child support order helps guarantee your child receives the appropriate amount and entitles you to take enforcement efforts to ensure payments are made. To protect yourself and your rights, call or contact us online and request a consultation with Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto today.
Sources:
browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html
floridarevenue.com/childsupport/Pages/default.aspx
