Analyzing Pennsylvania’s “Deadbeat Parent Law”
Raising a child on one income can be very difficult. The State of Pennsylvania recognizes this and forces parents to support their children. If one parent refuses to support their children, the state can take several proactive measures against them to force payment. In this article, the Philadelphia, PA child support attorneys at the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane will discuss Pennsylvania’s “deadbeat parent law,” how it works, and the penalties associated with non-payment.
Potential consequences for failing to pay child support in Philadelphia
Technically, the “deadbeat parent law” is called the Child Support Enforcement Act of 1984. It is a federal law that authorizes district and state attorneys to collect arrearages and to impose penalties on parents who fail to make child support payments. These penalties can include:
- Filing a civil contempt order, which might result in jail time or a diversion program
- Freezing your bank accounts
- Garnishing wages
- Intercepting your tax return
- Intercepting your unemployment insurance
- Placing a lien on your home or other property
- Suspending a professional license
- Suspending your driver’s license
When a parent stops paying child support in Philadelphia
When one parent fails to make child support payments, there may be a good reason for it. However, the loss of income is not a valid reason to stop making child support payments. If the non-custodial parent lost their job or otherwise suffered a decrease in income, that parent can file a motion to modify the child support order.
In many cases, the courts won’t automatically garnish the wages of the non-paying parent. So, the parent can just stop paying. Other times, the non-custodial parent’s wages are garnished, but the parent quits their job and quickly finds a new one without informing the courts or their former spouse, and then stops paying child support.
Regardless of how the parent stopped paying child support, it can be stressful for the other parent who relies on that support to purchase items like food, clothing, transportation, and entertainment.
Can I stop visitation if the other parent refuses to pay child support?
No, you cannot stop visitation if the other parent is delinquent in their child support payments. There are numerous ways to hold a delinquent parent responsible for failing to pay child support, but denying them access to their children is not one of them. The court would not take kindly to a parent who unilaterally decides to deny visitation privileges to the other parent even if they’re more than three months delinquent in their child support payments. If you’re a parent who is owed child support, you should contact a Philadelphia child support lawyer who can help you pressure the other parent into paying their arrearages.
Contact a Philadelphia Child Support Attorney Today
The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane represent the interests of Philadelphia parents who are owed child support money. Call our Philadelphia family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin advocating on your behalf right away.
