What happens if a parent refuses to pay child support?
Answer:
A parent who refuses to pay court-ordered child support can be held in contempt and face jail time. Unpaid support can also lead to the loss of a driver’s license or denial of a passport. Serving time in jail does not erase the child support owed.
Refusing to pay court-ordered child support can have serious consequences. The family court can hold a parent in contempt and impose jail time for willfully failing to comply with the support order.
Going to jail does not cancel the unpaid child support. The parent still owes that money. Depending on the circumstances and the amount or duration of unpaid support, enforcement can also include suspension of a driver’s license or denial of a passport.
If you are dealing with unpaid support, our child support lawyers can review the court order and payment history and help you understand the available enforcement options.
Legal clarification: A parent’s refusal to pay is different from an inability to pay. Before ordering jail time for civil contempt, the court must consider the parent’s ability to comply and provide the required procedural protections. See Turner v. Rogers (2011).