Getting a divorce after having children with a person can create a challenging situation to address. Custody arrangements need to be made, and typically, the parent who earns more and meets other stipulations will need to pay child support to the other parent, especially if that parent has more custody time. Of course, not all parents can or want to pay their support obligations for various reasons, and the parent who needs those funds for the kids may end up struggling if it is not paid.
Arkansas parents who have been ordered by the court to pay child support have a legal obligation to do so. This means that if they do not pay, they could be held in contempt of court and possibly face jail time for back child support. While the punishment may seem applicable depending on the exact circumstances, it could still result in the custodial parent not receiving payments as a parent in jail cannot earn an income to make support payments.
Fortunately, other options exist that could help parents get the support they are owed. However, the following actions must be imposed by a district attorney and cannot be carried out by the custodial parent:
- Seizing property
- Garnishing wages
- Intercepting tax refunds
The list does not end there for possible consequences for Arkansas parents who do not adhere to their child support orders. If parents are supposed to be receiving funds and do not, it is important that they understand their legal rights and available options. Presenting the issue to the court may help them pursue the funds they need for their children’s care, and having professional legal assistance may prove beneficial.