Saint Lucie County Legal Issues Blog

Child support modifications are important to be familiar with because it can sometimes be difficult to make required child support payments or an increase in child support payments may be needed. Circumstances such as a job loss, injury, change in marital status, change in household income or a change in the circumstances of the child can create a need for a change in child support.

There are two ways child support can be modified including when the parents agree to the change or the family law court orders it. Knowing how to navigate the process can be helpful. It is important to act promptly when the parent knows they need a change in the amount of child support they are paying and should ensure they continue to make all required child support payments until any change is official.

Last week this family law and divorce blog discussed the important topic of child support. Child support is an obligation between a parent and their offspring that mandates that the parent will provide their child or children with financial support. Child support can be imposed through an agreement between the child's parents or by order of the court. As recently discussed, failing to pay child support can not only result in a child not receiving what they need but also serious penalties for the delinquent parent.

There are many reasons that a parent may find that they cannot make their child support obligation work. When hard times hit it can be tough to stretch a meager paycheck or no income to provide for one's self, let alone their monthly payment to their children. A parent who does not have the means to meet their child support obligation may feel cornered and unsure of how to do the right thing.

Penalties for failure to pay child support can be significant. Understanding what they are is important for both paying parents and recipient parents when it comes to child support. Simply failing to pay child support in Florida can result in serious penalties and consequences for the parent who is failing to pay.

Penalties and consequences for failure to pay child support in Florida can range from wage garnishment to being held in contempt of court and potentially jailed. Additional penalties can include the possible suspension of a license such as a driver's license or business or occupational license; the denial of a passport; and the interception of tax refunds; the placement of liens on property; and negative credit reporting. Additional potential penalties and consequences are also possible for the failure to pay child support.

Working around two parents' schedules and the needs of their shared children can be difficult to say the least. As such, Florida families take their time to prepare child custody and parenting plans that serve the kids' best interests while preserving the parents' rights to be involved in the lives of their children. Custody plans can be changed when needed to accomplish the goals of meeting the children's needs and preserving the relationships between parents and kids; recently, a former celebrity couple established a summer custody schedule that is incredibly detailed in its scope.

Actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were previously marred and together share six children. After their divorce Jolie became the primary custodian of the children but just recently a court ruled that Pitt must have a more substantial part in the lives of five of his kids. The eldest child of the former couple was left out of the new arrangement as he was deemed old enough to decide for himself where he would like to live.