Understanding The Reasons Parents Fail to Meet Their Child Support Obligations

The divorce rate changed considerably over the decades, with generations separating for different reasons. While Baby Boomers started the trend of individuality, divorce became a norm around the time Generation X established families. However, Millennials have the lowest marriage rate, as some couples may even decide not to marry even if they live together or have kids.

Of course, the numerous factors that lead to separation are complex and cannot be fully unraveled in a few paragraphs. Still, the economy has a big impact on how people decide to share their house, space, and time with others, especially since divorces are more expensive than ever.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the separation leaves behind more than financial burdens and sentimental disturbances: unhappy children. These kids need help getting used to the situation, which means both parents having open discussions with them and keeping familiar routines to make the change less unbearable. Child support is also needed for the parent who will be the main provider, but the other parent may fail to meet the set financial obligation.

Let’s learn why this happens and how parents can be more responsible about the support.

The parent has had a sudden change in financial situation

Job security has been difficult to navigate since the pandemic, as numerous people were affected by massive layoffs, even from reputable companies. Tech companies have been leading the layoff trend amid the AI boom, so it’s no surprise someone could be left without a job as enterprises invest in artificial intelligence.

Unfortunately, finding another job can take between five and six months, during which the parent must still make the court-ordered payment but is unable to do so. In this case, both parents can take the time to discuss new payment terms. However, it’s important to note that the requirements for legal action and the dollar amounts vary by state.

For example, the child support guidelines in Florida include more complex documents for each party’s gross income, which can include disability benefits or reemployment assistance. Each party will also complete different forms depending on whether they have more or less than $50,000 per year. On the other hand, guidelines are easier to use to calculate child support in Massachusetts, especially since they focus on gross weekly income.

The parent has different views on the necessary spending

Some parents will refuse to continue paying due to disagreements over what is important for children’s well-being and what is unnecessary. Generally, child support should cover the basic needs of a kid, from food, clothing, and shelter, but depending on the terms the parents agree on, the amount can also manage the child’s education or medical care.

This aspect also varies by state, parents’ financial situation, and the number of children they are caring for. Unfortunately, in some cases, the parent with custody of the kid might not contribute their full share, thereby asking for much more than the non-custodial parent, leading to an endless disagreement.

Of course, there are also instances in which the child’s needs have changed since the latest order, so they might need additional medical care or have been enrolled in new extracurricular activities without further notice. These inaccuracies can be resolved if both parents are reasonable and willing to compromise, but this is rarely the case.

The parents have separated on bad terms

A separation or divorce is often difficult for everyone involved. The parents are most likely to struggle with mental health issues, ranging from experiencing uncertainty about the future to socially isolating themselves. The event can affect children even more, especially when parents have ended things on bad terms. Children of divorced parents are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, or antisocial behavior; this event can have considerably negative outcomes on the future of a kid.

Regrettably, parents who are fighting during divorce might not be able to pay attention to the emotional needs of their children, so they may resort to not paying child custody out of spite for the difficulties they feel when talking to the other one. Although people are legally required to support the court-ordered amount of child support, many are simply skipping this responsibility, leaving the other parent in custody of the child struggling financially.

If these payments are omitted for the reasons presented, the person may even face criminal charges, but different states treat this matter differently. In Massachusetts, depending on how much the parent owns, the court can decide whether to withhold income by deduction or to sentence the parent to 60 days in jail.

The child is now self-sufficient

In general, when a child reaches the age of majority (18), the requirements for child support cease. However, there are special cases in which the children are becoming self-sufficient, meaning they either gotten married or joined the military. In some special cases, a court order can decide this even if the kid hasn’t reached emancipation.

In the US, the earliest age to join the military is 17 for most branches, including the Air Force, Navy, and Space Force. And considering how many adolescents might feel like a burden to their parents following a divorce, joining the military and starting a life in which they can provide for themselves is not far from being possible. This can also be the case for marriage, as parental consent can allow minors as early as 16 or 17 to marry.

Conclusion

Child support is necessary in the case of a divorce or separation, since the child must continue to live a fairly decent life even if the parents can no longer live together. However, many parents eventually stop making payments and struggle to communicate with each other. In some cases, one parent struggles financially, in which case the previously agreed amount can be modified. But when the parent refuses to pay due to ongoing disagreements with the other parent, the consequences can lead to imprisonment.