October 24, 2018, In Family Law
Delinquent Child Support Payments in California
At WHITMARSH FAMILY LAW, PC our child support payments attorney in Los Angeles, CA has spent the past decade representing non-custodial parents negotiate proper, and more importantly, payable financial payments for their children’s needs.
While both parents have a legal duty to provide for their children financially, the California Family Courts will order one or both parents to make payments to cover medical and living expenses for the children they share. When parents fall behind, the consequences of not paying child support payments in California are demanding and can lead to life-altering consequences.
How Are Child Support Payments Determined in California?
The guidelines for child support in Los Angeles are outlined in the California Family Code 4050, a state law that establishes the total payment required using several factors.
Those elements can include the:
- Monthly net income of both parents
- Amount of time the child spends with each parent
According to the California Department of Child Support Services, child support payments are due in full each month or are subjected to one of the highest interest rates in the U.S., at 10% annually.
What Happens If I Don’t Pay Child Support in California?
Non-custodial parents in California owe over a combined $20 Billion in the past due to child support. When past-due child support payments become a persistent issue, the consequences become critical.
If you do not pay child support in California:
- Licenses may be suspended for:
- Driving
- Occupations
- Recreation
- Permanent state-issued professional
- Late or failed payments are reported directly to the major credit reporting agencies, adversely affecting your credit rating
- California Public Employee Retirement may intercept your monthly benefits to cover the arrearage
- Liens may be applied to any home owned by the person with past due to child support balances and will be collected upon the sale of the home
- The U.S. Department of State will not issue a new passport or renew an existing one, to anyone who owes more the $2500 in past due to child support until payment is made in full
Further financial interception and collection practices can include:
- Personal bank or retirement accounts
- Disability insurance, Social Security, and unemployment benefits
- Workers’ compensation awards
- Internal Revenue Service tax refunds and benefits
- California State tax refunds and benefits
- Lottery Winnings
Criminal charges can result from unpaid child support, as a final measure to collect the past due amount. If you owe past-due child support in California, call Los Angeles child support attorney at WHITMARSH FAMILY LAW, PC today at (310) 552-3505 to understand your rights, and how we can represent you in establishing a lesser monthly payment to get you back on track.
