How To Enforce A Child Support Order In Fort Lauderdale
Child support in Fort Lauderdale helps ensure children have what they need to thrive in cases where parents are unmarried or divorced. A child support order represents more than just a piece of paper. Once one is issued through the Florida Family Court, there are serious ramifications for people who refuse to pay.
Our Fort Lauderdale child support attorney provides caring, comprehensive legal services to clients in these cases. Find out more about child support payments and how to enforce a child support order in Fort Lauderdale.
Your Rights To Child Support In Fort Lauderdale
Things can happen that fracture the relationship between parents, but they both still have a legal obligation to provide for their children. Requesting a child support order in Fort Lauderdale through the Broward County Court is the best way to protect yourself and your child’s rights to these payments.
Under the Florida Statutes, child support is a common issue that needs to be resolved when getting a divorce, or it can be sought pending the outcome of paternity proceedings. If you have primary custody of your child or they spend the majority of time in your home, you may be entitled to these payments. In addition to following state guidelines, factors a judge will generally consider when determining the amount that must be paid include:
- Each person’s current income and earning potential;
- Their property and assets;
- The child’s basic living expenses;
- Any additional needs the child has that must be provided for.
Fort Lauderdale Child Support Enforcement
Once a Fort Lauderdale child support order gets put in place by the court, there is no excuse for not following it. Some parents shirk their duty and quit their jobs, move out of state, or otherwise stubbornly refuse to pay. Unfortunately, this can seriously jeopardize your and your child’s financial security.
When a parent refuses to pay, you can take enforcement action against them through the Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program. It provides various benefits to parents and can work with other state agencies to ensure any current and past due child support amounts get paid.
Florida’s Child Support Program gives non-paying parents a strong incentive to pay up. Severe penalties they could face for not staying current with payments include:
- Wage garnishment;
- Seizure of assets in bank accounts;
- Liens on cars, boats, or other property;
- Suspension of their business, professional, and recreational licenses;
- Passport denial;
- Seizure of tax refunds, lottery winnings, workers’ comp, and other benefits;
- Reporting non-payment to credit agencies, impacting their credit rating.
To Get The Payments You Are Owed, Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Child Support Attorney
Parents have a legal obligation to provide for their children, and once a Fort Lauderdale child support order is issued, they can face serious ramifications for not complying.
To get the payments you are owed, reach out to Fort Lauderdale child support attorney Sandra Bonfiglio. Our office provides the caring, comprehensive legal service you need to get the total amount your child is owed. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
Sources:
browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/61.30
floridarevenue.com/childsupport/compliance/Pages/default.aspx
