Our law firm knows that paying child support on time can be especially hard for some people, such as those who do not earn very much money or parents who are struggling with a health problem that drains them of their energy, time and financial resources. For some people, paying child support can be particularly hard due to a completely unexpected and unfortunate change, such as the loss of one’s job. If you have recently lost your primary source of income, or expect to be fired or laid off in the coming weeks, it is pivotal to do everything you can to stay current on your child support payments.
Unfortunately, some parents fall behind on child support when these hardships arise, which can lead to even more challenges. Back child support can bring up many consequences, some of which have been covered on this blog (the threat of being arrested, financial penalties, etc.). It might seem difficult or even impossible to pay child support after losing your job, but you could have options. For example, you may be able to try to financially prepare for the loss of your job by setting aside enough money to make child support payments afterward. We realize that this is not possible for everyone, however. Some people may be able to modify their child support order.
If you have experienced significant financial changes, child support modification could be a possibility. This can help parents stay current on their obligations and avoid the consequences associated with back child support.