It can be incredibly difficult to know what to do when you are behind on child support payments. In most cases, people don't want to fall behind on their payments, but due to a variety of reasons it may not always be avoidable. It is important to remember that you are not alone and there are options available to help. It is important to reach out for help as soon as possible if you find yourself in this situation.
Contacting a divorce lawyer can provide you with guidance, advice, and the legal support you may need to resolve the issue. They will be able to give expert advice tailored specifically for your individual situation and enable you to make informed decisions about how best to proceed. They can also help in helping negotiate payment plans or other arrangements with the other parent which might be acceptable to both parties involved. Failing this, they could also provide representation during any court proceedings should it become necessary.
What Happens If I Fall Behind on Child Support Payments in Colorado?
In the state of Colorado, it is important to understand what happens if you fall behind on your court-ordered child support payments. Not only can this have a significant impact on your finances and credit score, but it can also lead to other legal ramifications such as wage garnishment or even jail time in some cases.
It is crucial that people facing this situation take immediate steps towards resolving the issue before their case escalates further. This includes speaking with a qualified divorce lawyer who will be able to provide advice tailored specifically for your individual circumstances and help negotiate payment plans or other arrangements with the other parent which might be acceptable to both parties involved.
For those who do not act quickly enough, they may find themselves subject to severe consequences, including:
- Wage garnishment
- Deductions from unemployment
- Deductions from workers' compensation
- Driver’s license suspension
- Professional licenses suspension
- Tax offsets
- Lottery winning intercepts
- Credit beureau reporting
- Judgement and liens
- Jail time
- Fines
Ultimately, the worst thing you can do is to do nothing. If you are behind on your child support payments, it is imperative that you contact an experienced family law attorney who can help you navigate the situation and find relief.
What Is a Motion for Contempt?
In certain cases, if a person has been found to be in contempt of court for not paying their child support payments, they may be asked to appear before the court and explain why they are not able to make the payments. This is known as a motion for contempt.
In Colorado, there are two kinds of motions for contempt that can be brought regarding child support orders:
- Punitive contempt: Involves asking the court to punish the offending parent with jail time and/or fines for intentionally refusing to pay child support despite having the ability to do so
- Remedial contempt: Involves asking the court to remand the offending parent to jail until they pay child support
Don't Delay - Contact the Law Offices of Alexandra White, PC Today
The consequences of falling behind on child support payments can be severe, and it is crucial that people facing this situation take immediate steps towards resolving the issue before their case escalates further. This includes speaking with a qualified divorce lawyer who will be able to provide advice tailored specifically for your individual circumstances and help negotiate payment plans or other arrangements with the other parent that might be acceptable to both parties involved.
If you are behind on your child support payments, it is important to seek legal advice from an experienced family law attorney who can help guide you through the process and negotiate payment plans with the other parent which might be acceptable to both parties involved. At the Law Offices of Alexandra White, PC we understand that this can be a complex and difficult situation, but with our expertise and guidance, we will work hard to ensure the best possible outcome.
Contact us online or call us at (303) 647-4245 to schedule a consultation so we can discuss your case in detail.