Reasons Why People Fall Behind on Child Support

Millions of children rely on child support from their parents. While most people want to provide for their children, there are times that child support doesn’t get paid in a timely fashion. The following are the 11 top reasons people fall behind on child support.

1. They Believe support is Not Helping Their Children

According to Familylawyermagazine.com, many individuals don’t see how the money being paid is directly helping their children.

2. People Don’t Like Judges and Lawyers Making Their Decisions

Hard working adults may often resent a stranger, and in particular a judge or a lawyer, telling them how and when to take care of their children.

3. Lost Jobs
Losing a job and a steady source of income can definitely cause a person to fall behind on child support.

4. A New Family
If a person gets married or has more children it may become more difficult to keep up with regular payments.

5. Fear That the Money is Misspent
If parents think the money is going to augment the custodial parent’s lifestyle and not the child, they may be hesitant to keep up regular payments.

6. Disagreements About Raising the Children
When one parent disagrees with how the other parent is raising the children they may not make regular child payments until the matter is resolved.

7. Can’t See the Children
Whether it’s court ordered or a parent is keeping the kids from another parent, the non-custodial parent may stop making payments.

8. To Get Back at a Spouse
When couples break up, the relationship can become complicated. Unfortunately, some people may withhold payment to get back at the other parent.

9. Low Paying Job
Even if an individual is working a regular job, it may be considered low-income. The National Conference of State Legislatures describes how a low paying job can cause a person to fall behind on support.

10. Substance Abuse
Drug or alcohol addiction can drain a person’s resources or cause them to become irresponsible and fall behind on payments.

11. A Traumatic Event
Unfortunately, a traumatic event such as a car accident or a serious disease can occur in an individual’s life. In these cases it can be extremely difficult for even well-meaning parents to keep up on payment.

Non-payment of child support can have serious consequences, and there are various reasons why some individuals fail to fulfill their child support obligations. While these reasons may vary from one case to another, here are  another ten common reasons why people do not pay child support:

1. Financial Hardship: Some non-custodial parents genuinely struggle to meet their child support obligations due to financial difficulties, such as job loss, reduced income, or unexpected expenses.
2. Lack of Awareness: Some individuals may not fully understand their legal obligations or may be unaware of the amount they are required to pay.
3. Disputes over Custody or Visitation: Disputes related to child custody and visitation rights can lead to non-payment of child support as some parents may withhold payments as a way to exert pressure or seek leverage in these disputes.
4. Lack of Trust in How Money Is Spent: Some non-custodial parents may question how the child support funds are being utilized and may resist paying until they are confident the money is being used for the child’s benefit.
5. Mistrust or Resentment: Emotions and conflicts between co-parents can lead to resentment or mistrust, which may manifest as non-payment of child support.
6. Inadequate Enforcement: Weak or inconsistent enforcement mechanisms in some jurisdictions can make it easier for non-custodial parents to avoid paying child support without facing serious consequences.
7. Job or Income Underreporting: Some non-custodial parents may underreport their income or work “under the table” to avoid higher child support payments.
8. Inability to Locate Non-Paying Parent: In some cases, custodial parents struggle to locate the non-paying parent, making it challenging to enforce child support orders.
9. Intentional Avoidance: Some individuals willfully evade their child support obligations due to personal reasons, such as a desire to escape responsibility or spite towards the custodial parent.
10. Legal Issues and Incarceration: Non-custodial parents facing legal issues or serving time in jail may struggle to make child support payments while incarcerated, leading to arrears.

It’s essential to note that non-payment of child support is a serious legal matter, and it’s typically addressed through legal channels, which may include wage garnishment, property liens, or even criminal charges in unlikely extreme cases. Both parents are encouraged to work together to resolve any disputes or issues related to child support for the well-being of their child. If you are facing difficulties with child support, it is advisable to consult with an attorney or contact your local child support enforcement agency for guidance on how to address the situation legally.

“In 2013, the average yearly child support payment received by custodial parents with payments was $5,333; $5,181 for mothers and $6,526 for fathers. These full or partial payments represented (on average) 14% of the custodial parent’s yearly income, 16% of the custodial mothers’ total yearly income, and 9% of the custodial fathers’. In 2013, for custodial parents with income below the poverty level, child support payments for those who received them made up, on average, 49% of their yearly income. In 2013, child support payments made up 13% of the yearly income of custodial parents without a high school diploma who were owed child support and who actually received full or partial payments. In 2013, child support represented about 18% of the income of the 2.6 million custodial parents who received all of the child support that they were owed.” Child Support: An Overview of Census Bureau Data on Recipients Carmen Solomon-Fears Specialist in Social Policy March 1, 2016  Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS22499  https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS22499.pdf