Child support is money that goes to the custodial parent by the noncustodial parent. The idea is this money goes toward the care of the children, such as food, clothing and housing. When a judge uses guidelines to set the amount that is owed by the noncustodial parent — unless a modification is approved by the courts — this is not something that is optional. Failng to pay child support can lead to a parent being arrested and placed in jail.
Recently, one mother who owes more than $300,000 in child support for her three children was arrested and put in jail. Bond was set at $150,000 or $75,000 cash.
In looking at this unpaid child support case, the mother had been ordered to pay $325 a week for her three children who were put in foster care. Her children — who were 8, 10 and 12 at the time — were put into foster care in 1999.
The mother in this case has reportedly never made a payment and has supposedly made comments that she will never make payments. However, now that she is in jail she is saying that she is better situated and will make her child support payments.
In some cases, it is easy to focus on the fact that a parent did not pay the child support and how this could end up meaning jail time for them. However, it is important to also think of the parent who does not receive the child support and how this negatively affects the child or children.
This is why it is important to reach out for help when a parent is behind on child support. For the single father who is raising his children, this child support is not a luxury, it is necessity. In cases where the other parent is refusing to pay, an attorney with experience handling child support issues can step in.
Source: Times Herald Record, “Court: Deadbeat mom owes $329K,” Heather Yakin, June 6, 2013
