All parents are obligated to support their minor children. When they have custody of their kids, this usually involves covering all the necessities like food, housing, and medical care directly. When parents are divorced or unmarried, Connecticut law requires non-custodial parents to provide financial support.
The unfortunate reality is that these payments are not always made in a timely manner. When your co-parent has failed to uphold the obligations set by the court, a dedicated child support attorney can help. Reach out to a Fairfield child support enforcement lawyer right away.
Where a child support obligation exists there is the potential for conflict. Unfortunately, misunderstandings can often play a part in a dispute. Parents required by the court to make monthly payments often bristle at the thought of a former spouse benefiting from their hard-earned income. However, the purpose of this system is to provide a child with the support they need—even in cases where it also benefits the custodial parent.
Connecticut law permits child support to be used for a wide range of purposes. Support payments can be used to cover rent or a mortgage for a home the child resides in, as well as expenses related to school, healthcare, and extracurricular activities.
Dealing with misconceptions about how this money is spent can often address issues before they arise. An attorney in Fairfield can answer questions about every aspect of the child support enforcement process.
Emotions can get heated over child support disputes, but litigation is not always required to resolve them. In certain situations, a lawyer in Fairfield experienced in child support enforcement can help ensure that cooler heads prevail.
In some cases, the failure to meet child support obligations is an honest mistake. In other situations, a momentary lapse in judgment can lead to overreactions. An attorney can often reason with the other party or their representation to secure compliance with a court order.
Litigation can be costly, and it should be the last resort. Having the support of strong legal counsel is the best way to exhaust every possible option for resolving disputes over child support.
Unfortunately, some child support enforcement disputes will only be resolved through the Fairfield court system, which is why it is important to work with an attorney. This is typically done by filing a motion for contempt. An order granting this motion declares that one of the parties is not in compliance with an existing court order.
The burden of proof rests with the person filing the motion. In other words, they must be able to prove to the court that the other parent has willfully refused to meet the court-ordered financial obligations.
If the court finds the other person in contempt, there are several potential remedies available. For example, they might garnish a non-paying parent’s wages or place a lien on their real estate. The state also has the power to deduct this debt from tax refunds and seize bank accounts. In drastic circumstances, a judge could even incarcerate the noncompliant party.
Battling with the other parent to force them to pay their share is never easy. Thankfully, you do not have to face this challenge alone. A Fairfield child support enforcement lawyer can help you secure a favorable outcome and obtain what is owed to your child. Call today to learn more.