Most people in Virginia understand the importance of child support. Child support is most often paid by the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent to ensure that the basic needs of the child — or children — are met even though the parents are no longer together. It is no secret, however, that not everyone upholds their child support obligations.
Last week, a Pennsylvania man was arrested for unpaid child support. This was the twelfth time in the last four years that he has been jailed because of past-due child support payments. According to officials, the man owes more than $100,000.
Although this incident did not take place in Virginia, it highlights how problematic unpaid child support can be. That much money can go a long way toward providing necessities for the children involved, including education, food and clothes. When child support goes unpaid, both the custodial parent and the children suffer.
If you should find yourself on either side of this scenario, it is important to know that there are legal options available. If you are missing payments from your child’s other parent, an attorney can help you enforce your child support order so you get the money you are owed.
On the other hand, if your circumstances have changed and you can no longer afford your court-ordered child support payments, it may be possible to seek a modification. As this case shows, however, waiting too long to take action or simply not paying anything can have serious repercussions, including jail time. Whichever situation you are in, it is best to act quickly.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Man jailed for failing to pay child support for 12th time,” Brett Sholtis, April 11, 2014