Parents have an obligation to financially provide for their children. A mother and father tend to share these responsibilities when they live together with a child, but things become more complicated following a divorce. These obligations do not end when parents divorce, and this typically leads the court to order one party to make payments to the other in order to cover the costs of raising the child.
Unfortunately, securing a court order for support is only the first step. It may be necessary to obtain the support of a dedicated family lawyer to ensure this order is enforced. If your co-parent is not making their required payments, a Tulsa child support enforcement lawyer may be able to help.
The first factor to consider when one parent misses a child support payment is whether or not a court ordered this obligation in the first place. Some parents choose to reach an informal agreement for support without ever filing a court case. While this approach might work for a while, there are no enforcement options if a parent misses a payment. The receiving parent faces all of the risk in this situation, as they are limited in their ability to enforce the obligation.
There are far more options in cases where a parent misses a court-mandated support payment. These enforcement options become available immediately. There is no grace period or minimum deficiency. As soon as a person fails to make the required payment, they are in violation of a court order.
It is important to act quickly after a missed payment. While it may be possible to resolve the issue amicably, you could benefit from discussing your options with a Tulsa child support enforcement attorney.
You have different avenues for enforcing a child support order. The simplest and most straightforward approach is to have your attorney contact the other party in an effort to resolve things. Mistakes and misunderstandings happen, and a call from a Tulsa child support enforcement attorney could even help settle things in tense situations.
If an agreement cannot be reached, another common approach is wage garnishment. This involves an employer withholding a portion of the other parent’s check and distributing that money to you via the government. Other options could include contempt of court hearings or levying property.
It is not uncommon for an order to apply to a parent who has since moved out of state. This can complicate things after the other party fails to make a payment on time, but you still have options available. These can vary substantially from one state to another.
However, most jurisdictions have adopted the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or UIFSA. This law makes it difficult for a person to leave the state and modify a support order in a different court.
If your co-parent moves to another state, they could still have an obligation to provide financial support. However, child support enforcement can become challenging, which makes it crucial for you to seek help from our Tulsa attorneys.
If the other parent of your child refuses to meet their legal obligations, you should seek help. The right attorney could work with you to enforce the order and ensure your children have the resources they need.
It is never your best option to face this issue alone. Reach out to a Tulsa child support enforcement lawyer today to discuss your options.
(918) 744-7100