Enforcement

Under Florida Statute § 61.13, a court can order either or both parents who owe a duty of support to a child to pay support to the other parent or, in the case of both parents, to a third party who has custody in of a child support until the child’s 18th birthday. The Florida Department of revenue and other state agencies aggressively enforce child support orders.

An obligee (the parent who receives child support) can file paperwork with the court for possible enforcement actions relating to a child support order. An obligor (the parent required to pay child support) who willfully fails to pay child support can face serious penalties that may include possible fines and imprisonment.

Lawyer for Child Support Enforcement in West Palm Beach, FL

If you are not receiving child support or have been unable to make child support payments in South Florida, it is in your best interest to quickly seek legal representation.

Quality Family Law represents clients in communities throughout Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County, and Broward County, such as Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Boca Raton, and many others.

Our West Palm Beach divorce attorneys will work to help you achieve the most desirable possible outcome to your case. You can have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (561) 557-8686 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Palm Beach County Enforcement of Child Support Information Center

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Florida Child Support Enforcement Program

In Florida, a parent who does not live with a child but continues to have a legal responsibility to financially care for the child is called the noncustodial parent, while the custodial parent is the parent or caretaker with whom the child lives and who is responsible for the child’s basic needs such as housing, food and clothing.

If a noncustodial parent becomes delinquent on child support payments, the custodial parent has several options for enforcing a child support order.

The custodial parent may file a motion for civil contempt or the Child Support Enforcement Program can ask the judge to find the noncustodial parent in contempt of court. Being placed in contempt of court could possibly lead to the noncustodial parent being ordered to pay fines or imprisoned. The Clerk of the Court can also suspend a noncustodial parent’s driver’s license when child support payments become delinquent.

Florida state law may require a non custodial parent’s employer to deduct child support payments from his or her paycheck. It is the noncustodial parent's responsibility to inform the Child Support Enforcement Program any time he or she changes jobs.

Every business reports new and rehired employees to the child support enforcement agency in their state, and this information is shared across states and used to find where noncustodial parents are working

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Child Support Enforcement Penalties in West Palm Beach

Failure to pay child support can result in any one of a number of possible penalties, including:

Arrest warrants;

Financial judgments;

Civil or criminal contempt charges;

Judgment liens (resulting in possible writ of execution or writ of garnishment);

Florida driver, hunting, or fishing license suspension;

Vehicle or vessel registration suspension;

Seizure of federal tax refunds, Florida lottery winnings, or unemployment compensation;

Passport denial; or

Professional license suspension.

In certain cases, alleged failure to pay child support can result in federal prosecution.

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Child Support Enforcement Resources in Florida

Child Support Enforcement | Florida Department of Revenue — The Florida Department of Revenue provides child support services in all but two Florida counties. Visit this section of the Department of Revenue website to learn more about some of the actions that can be taken by the department when child support payments are not made as ordered. You can also find a link to the National Child Support Directory.

Florida Attorney General | Child Support Enforcement Bureau — The Child Support Enforcement Bureau provides legal services in cases involving children who reside in Florida as well as the other 49 states, the United States territories, and foreign countries. Services rendered by the Bureau include Establishment of Support, Enforcement of Child Support Obligations, and Modification of Child Support Obligations. Visit this section of the Office of the Attorney General website to learn more about Child Support Enforcement Bureau office locations and cases filed statistics.

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Quality Family Law | West Palm Beach Child Support Enforcement Attorney

Are you having difficulty making child support payments or are you owed child support in South Florida? You should immediately retain legal counsel. Contact Quality Family Law today.

Our divorce lawyers in West Palm Beach represent individuals in Greenacres, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and many surrounding areas of Broward County, Palm Beach County, and Miami-Dade County.

Call (561) 557-8686 or submit an online form to have our attorneys review your case and help you understand all of your legal options during a free initial consultation.

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If you have been charged with a Misdemeanor or Felony, State or Federal, please visit our main Criminal Defense Department.

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