Child Support Enforcement In Pinellas County
With the high cost of food, housing, and other living expenses, it often takes two incomes to raise a family. If you are divorced or single and raising a child, court-ordered child support in Pinellas County helps to ensure the other parent pays their share. Our Seminole family attorney explains the process and child support enforcement efforts you can take if they refuse to pay.
Obtaining A Pinellas County Child Support Order
Parents have a legal duty and a moral obligation to provide for their children. Child support is automatically addressed in Pinellas County divorce cases involving children. Single parents can seek a child support order pending the outcome of paternity proceedings.
Under the Florida Statutes, there are guidelines judges follow in determining any child support that must be paid. In general, amounts are based on each parent’s income. However, even if the other parent is unemployed, the judge can impute an amount, based on prior jobs or training. Other factors that could influence child support payments include:
- The amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home;
- Their basic living expenses;
- The standard of living they enjoyed prior to the breakup;
- Any special needs the child may have;
- Any individual property and assets the parent possesses.
In some cases, parents may attempt to negotiate child support arrangements without going to court. This can be a risky move, potentially depriving you of the total amount you may be owed, as well as child support enforcement efforts available through the Pinellas County Family Court.
Enforcing Child Support Payments In Pinellas County
Getting a formal child support order in Pinellas County helps ensure your child is provided for and has all they need to thrive in life. However, even once you get an order, the other parent may still fall behind or otherwise refuse to pay.
Fortunately, once a child support order is issued by the court, the Florida Department of Revenue monitors payments and automatically contacts the non-paying parent. If they continue to remain in arrears, they could be charged with contempt of court and subject to serious enforcement efforts. These include:
- Seizure of any money they may have in bank accounts;
- Seizure of government benefits, tax returns, lottery winnings, and other funds;
- Liens on their property, requiring that you be paid prior to any sales;
- Suspension of their driver’s license;
- Suspension of any business or professional licenses they hold;
- A potential jail sentence and a permanent criminal record.
To Get The Total Amount You Are Owed, Contact Our Pinellas County Child Support Attorney Today
In cases of divorced or single parents, child support plays a major role in ensuring children have what they need to succeed in life. At The Reep Law Firm, we get you the total amount you are owed in a Pinellas County child support order and take the legal actions needed to help ensure prompt payments are made. Contact our experienced Seminole child support attorney and request a consultation today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html
mypinellasclerk.gov/Home/Family
floridarevenue.com/childsupport/compliance/Pages/default.aspx
