Child support provides stability for your child’s daily needs, from groceries to school supplies. When those payments are sporadic or stop, it creates a stressful gap in your household budget. You have rights and options to ensure your child receives the benefits of financial support the law requires.
Taking steps to collect what is owed
The state provides several tools to help you collect past-due support. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) can initiate various enforcement actions based on the severity of the delinquency. Depending on the details of the specific case, some actions could include:
- Income withholding from paychecks or unemployment benefits
- Monthly interest and financial penalties accruing on past-due amounts
- Intercepting federal or state tax refunds
- Suspending driver’s or professional licenses
- Placing liens on property or seizing bank accounts
If these administrative steps do not work, a judge can find the non-paying parent in contempt of court, which may lead to jail time.
Recognizing when the math needs to change
Sometimes, a parent stops paying because their financial situation has truly and significantly changed. In Massachusetts, you or the other parent can request a modification if there is a substantial change in circumstances.
This might include a job loss, a significant raise or changes in the child’s health insurance costs. A modification ensures the payment amount remains fair and sustainable based on current income levels and state guidelines.
Protecting your rights by staying the course
Frustration over non-payment might tempt you to take matters into your own hands or make some unwise decisions. However, doing so can jeopardize your legal standing and ultimately make the situation worse. Some common missteps that can backfire include:
- Withholding visitation or phone calls as punishment for non-payment
- Consistently accepting less money or fewer payments without court orders approving a change
- Failing to keep records of payments, made or missed
Dealing with unpaid child support is a frustrating hurdle, but the legal system offers a clear framework for resolution. By using official channels and keeping records of missed payments, you can be well positioned to hold the other parent accountable and collect the support they owe.