Child Support Arrears – What Are the Consequences of Arrearage?

Failure to pay child support can result in severe consequences. The following are some of the consequences of child support arrearage:

• Under Penal Code section 270, willful failure to provide necessary care to a child is a misdemeanor.

• The parent who owes child support may be held in contempt of court and fined or jailed.

• Interest for child support arrearage accumulates at 10% per annum, which can result in a significant amount.

• Driver’s license or other state professional licenses (such as those required to be a practicing lawyer, doctor, teacher, truck driver, or nurse) can be suspended.

• The federal government can refuse to renew your passport.

• Child support arrearage can negatively impact credit score.

• The government can collect past-due child support by intercepting or deducting tax refunds, social security, unemployment, state disability insurance, worker’s compensation awards, and lottery winnings to pay arrears.

• The government may seize funds from individual bank accounts.

• The government can order a lien against any property owed in the county.

• Failure to pay arrears 30 days after they are due may subject you to a penalty assessment of 6% to 72% of the arrearage amount.

Even if you reach an agreement with the court to modify or terminate future support obligations, the court has no power to modify or terminate past-due support obligations. The court also has no power to modify or terminate interest from past-due support obligations. This is why you need to talk to a Southern California family law attorney

If you or someone you know faces child support arrearage, you will need a skilled Southern California child support attorney to help you navigate these difficult legal waters. At Wallin & Klarich, we have helped people with child support arrearage for over 30 years. Call us today at (888) 749-7428. We will be there when you call.