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Speak Up! - View Question #679 |
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Question: A Couple with children has divorced. Who is obligated to pay child support? Who decides how much is paid? For how long is this support paid? What happens if it is not paid?
Answer: Who is obligated to pay child support?
When a couple gets divorced, both parents are responsible for the financial support of the children.
Who decides how much is paid?
The Supreme Court has established guidelines to determine the amount of child support. Some of the things that the court looks at is the needs of the child, the financial resources and needs of the custodial parent, the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the marriage not been dissolved, the physical and emotional condition of the child, the child's educational needs and the financial resources and needs of the noncustodial parent (A.R.S. § 25-320) You can go to http://www.supreme.state.az.us/childsup . OR http://www.familysupportcenter.com/supportservices/support.html to find out more about calculating the amount of child support.
For how long is this support paid?
Child support is paid until a child reaches the age of 18 AND graduates from high school or a certified high school equivalency program. If a child turns 18 while still in school, support will continue until graduation OR until the child reaches the age of 19. (A.R.S. § 25-320(C)). If a child is mentally or physically disabled, the court may order support to continue past the age of majority. (A.R.S. § 25-320(B)).
What happens if the child support is not paid?
A person not paying child support may face these consequences:
- Suspension of your Driver's License- A.R.S. §§ 25-517,518
- Revoke or suspend Professional, Occupational or Recreational Licenses
- A.R.S. § 25-518 states boards that issue Professional, Occupational, or Recreational Licenses and/or Certificates will keep social security numbers on file so as to aid the Department of Economic Security in locating parents or to enforce child support orders.
- Mandatory wage withholding
- Intercept state income tax refund
- Liens against real and personal property
- Non payment reported to Consumer Credit Reporting
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On 03/29/05
chris from RI said:
i have just graduated from college, my father left my life 10 years ago. He still owes me a ton of money from child support, is there any way i can try to find him to get my money because i owe over 60,000 dollars in student loans and i think its about time my father did something for me.
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On 03/20/05
Stephanie from NJ said:
Hi, my name is Stephanie, 13 yrs. old from n.j. I used to live with my mom after my parents got a divorce. When i was about 8, my father took me and said it would only be for a little while. I am now 12 and still i am not with my mom. I've talked to him, counselors, and send letters to judges and other people to try to get me to live with my mom. I really don't know what to do anymore because no matter where i go, no one listens to me. I feel sad, depressed, and mad because there is nothing i can do. I need someone to help me before i go crazy. Someone please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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On 06/17/04
Didi from MN said:
Hire a private investigator to find out where your dad is working under the table. If he can get proof, turn it over to the police. They can get a warrant and search the place to find out how much money he is making. Then turn the information over to family court. Don't let him get away with this.
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On 05/25/04
Dillon from AZ said:
My father is about $70,000+ behind in child support. He has made a few payments and his income return is court odered to come to my mom for me. However, my dad has been hiding his income by working "under the table", not filing taxes and using others bank accounts. My stepmom has been giving us some money behind his back, but now she's left him due to horrible abuse. What can I do to make dad take responsibility and support me. I've heard of dads' who are in jail for being $5,000 behind in support and he is $70,000 behind. Shouldn't he be held accountable?
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On 04/29/04
ashley from TX said:
this may not be on this subject be its worrying me my niece and nephew ages 6 and 4 have been taken from my sister for no reason her house is clean and she doesnt abuse them or anything well they were taken from her by the cops of course today. How would we get them back see my niece who is 6 yrs.old tells bunches of lies to the teacher like her bed is rat infested which it is not so the teacher called cops and they took away her kids how do we get them back i dont wanna keep crying over this I miss them very much and so does my sister and mom.
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