Being a single parent makes the already challenging process of raising a child even more challenging. The Florida courts place a high priority on making sure kids are supported financially by both parents. Knowing your rights and responsibilities as a parent is essential, but it can be challenging to understand the Florida child support arrears balance. Both parents’ incomes and the kid’s financial requirements are considered while determining child support.
What is Florida Child Support Arrears Balance?
Arrears refer to the sum of money a parent is responsible for paying in child support that still needs to be paid. A Florida court may order a parent who has fallen behind on child support payments to pay the arrears and the regular child support amount.
Sever situations could lead to a person falling behind on their child support payments, such as the loss of a job, a sickness, or other financial troubles.
Consequences of Not Paying Child Support Arrears
There is no statute of limitations on the state’s capacity to take action against a parent for child support arrears. The state can garnish wages, seize property, seize bank accounts, and redirect tax refunds to recover child support arrears.
In addition, the state may take further action against a parent who has not repaid arrearages in child support. For example, the State Disbursement Unit may be used to issue a judgment against the estate of a parent who has passed away and to collect any resulting interest.
How much do I owe in back child support in Florida?
Contact the Child Support Program at the Florida Department of Revenue to learn how much back child support you owe.
You can visit the Child Support Program’s website and retrieve your account information by clicking the “Pay Child Support Online” tab. You can check your past due amounts, current balance, Florida child support arrears balance, and payment history there.
The Child Support Program’s toll-free number for speaking with a live person is 1-800-622-5437. Your account details will be available, including any arrears in child support payments.
A lawyer specializing in family law or child support may be helpful if you have questions about the information given to you by the Child Support Program or feel the amount owed needs to be corrected.
Wave or Pay Less Child Support Arrears
Neither the custodial parent nor the state child support agency can cancel or forgive child support arrears. Only the court, under exceptional circumstances, can cancel or reduce past-due child support payments.
The court must be notified of a meaningful change in circumstances before waiving child support arrears. Then the court will evaluate the parent’s income, costs, and ability to pay.
Note that past-due child support payments cannot be retroactively waived. Until the court orders otherwise or the debt is paid in full, a parent with a child support obligation must fulfill that obligation.
What if my child’s other parent owes child support arrears?
The Florida Department of Revenue can assist in the Florida child support arrears balance. However, be aware that it will take time before they can assist due to a backlog of cases. A child support enforcement attorney can review your situation and advise you on your legal options for enforcing child support obligations. Taking legal action in a family court could be one option.
Remember that refusing visitation because of arrears in child support could be considered contempt of court. It may be frustrating to continue visitation with the other parent despite their inability to pay, but obtaining legal guidance is vital to ensure your safety.
Get in touch with an attorney to discuss your child support arrears and your alternatives for lawfully recovering back child support.
When to Stop Paying Florida child support arrears balance?
Child support arrears, sometimes known as “back child support” are commonly thought to be uncollectible once a kid reaches the age of 18 and becomes an adult. There is no time limit on pursuing payment of arrears in child support in Florida. Therefore, a parent who is owed support for their kids can take legal action to get the money owed to them.
The Florida Department of Revenue can pursue child support arrears indefinitely, regardless of when they were incurred. A parent entitled to child support payments may pursue recovery of arrears even though the children subject to the decree are already adults.
Conclusion
Resolving a Florida child support arrears balance can be difficult and stressful for some people. However, being aware of and working toward fulfilling your responsibilities as a parent is crucial. Suppose you need to catch up on child support payments. In that case, you can try negotiating with the other parent, contacting the Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program, hiring an attorney, or attending a child support hearing.
Also Read
Child Support Modification in Florida
My question is when I can start receive child support.the judge grant us to have child support on august 6,2023 but until now we don’t receive a child support.how long it takes tell we can receive the child support.in from the phillippines .hope you can answer my question.thank you very much..
Can you help me My son has been used my child support card and he has the same child support card like me he been taking money off the card.thas.whyi
Need to stop him call me soon 754_366_8130
Text me back Vanessa Cannon
I fell behind on child support when my dad past away and didn’t report that I lost my job so 2 years past and the court stated that I fell behind in the amount of 40k… and ordered me to pay 200 a week one of my kids turned 18 In 2021 and the other just turned 18 in March I stopped paying when he did now I’m 2 weeks I have to sit with the child support enforcement in Orlando how much would be the percentage on the arrears?
It’s a good thing I don’t have any questions for you guys here, apparently.
My husband owes about $200,000 in back child support payment ($600/mo. plus interest). The amount was imputed on an imaginary salary he did not have. He lives with me in Europe and earns about $10,000 each year. Since the child support order he’s had an extra 2 children he takes care of with me. He has paid what he could every month and never evaded the court or his ex-wife. Also, he never had access to his child in Florida. What can he do?