Divorce may end marriage, but it doesn’t end family ties. Spouses become single again once the divorce is settled, yet their relationship with their children continues. In such situations, child support is usually paid by the non-custodial parent. Custodial parents often need the support for living expenses, education and health care.
Custodial parents rely on the non-custodial parent to be responsible enough to make payments in order to adequately provide for their children. Tennessee takes child support payments very seriously and imposes strict penalties on parents who do not meet their obligations.
A New York man who allegedly owes more than $1 million in back child support was recently caught by federal prosecutors. He was discovered in the Philippines, where he was detained and deported back to the United States. Authorities believe that the 50-year-old man kept his main residence in Thailand.
The amount of back child support came from over a decade of skipped payments for three children. The man was married and divorced twice.
In many cases involving child support, it may be hard for custodial parents to raise children alone without financial support. The children’s needs may not be completely fulfilled if a non-custodial parent fails to make payments for a prolonged period of time.
If parents required to pay child support are having financial difficulties, the amount of child support can be modified in a number of ways. If the supporting parent loses his or her job, it may have an impact on a child support obligation. Relocation can also affect child support orders, as can the age of the children. It is important that child support orders consider both the needs of the children and the parents’ financial ability to pay. When dealing with these matters, both parents may benefit from the aid of experienced legal counsel.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, “Feds say NY man owes $1 million in child support,” Dec. 18, 2012
