After a divorce involving children, one parent is going to be responsible for paying child support. However, some divorced parents wrongfully believe that they don’t have to pay their ex the required amount and rack up thousands of dollars in back payments over the years.
What are the consequences of not paying child support? Could you go to jail for failure to do so? Here’s a look behind the curtain for those who think that a missed payment here and there isn’t going to result in needing bail bond for them down the line.
How Serious is a Child Support Order?
A child support order is handed down by the judge presiding over your divorce. It is a direct obligation and is a truly legal order. This means that if you fail to pay child support, there will be consequences that can include jail time.
While some people may view this punishment as a harsh consequence, child support is essential for the overall well-being of your child. Usually, child support covers:
- Food
- Shelter
- Medical Expenses, and other essentials
These are all serious needs for your child, so it should be no surprise that the legal system views ignored payments as a serious violation.
What Happens if You Refuse to Pay Child Support?
In the state of Texas, child support is taken quite seriously, and the penalties for not paying are very steep. Failure to pay child support is a direct violation of a court order. This means that you are considered to be in contempt of court and a judge will order a warrant out for your arrest.
Aside from 6 to 18 months in jail, depending on the amount that’s gone unpaid, other ways back child support can negatively impact your life include:
- Driver’s License Suspension
- Passport Renewal Refusal
- Wage Garnishments
- Fines and Penalties
- Federal Penalties (If the parent moves)
What if the Struggle is Genuine?
If you’ve recently lost your income and know you’re going to have trouble making child support payments, avoid the bail process altogether and take proactive action now! Talk to your ex-spouse and find out if there’s a way to work out a payment plan or future payment. Usually, this approach will work because if jail time becomes a reality, your child support payments stop for as long as you’re behind bars.
If you can’t come to terms with your ex, go talk to the courts. If this is your first time facing a payment issue, the judge who presided over your case may be able to help you come to an agreement that works for your family.
How can a McKinney Bail Bond Help?
Getting arrested for non-payment of child support means that even with the “best” intentions, your family is stuck with no income from you. If you want to set the record straight and get your life back on track as soon as possible, the bail bond process can help get you there!
Get out from behind bars quickly and ensure that you can make all of the necessary legal changes without the burden of visiting hours that are controlled by a jail.
Been Arrested for Child Support Non-Payment? Goodfellas Bail Bonds can Help!
If you’ve been arrested in McKinney, contact Goodfellas Bail Bonds because we’re ready to help you. We are open 24/7 and will cover any bail amount you’re dealing with. Don’t wait to get the bail process started.
