What Happens if My Spouse Stops Paying Child Support in New Jersey?
There are few things more worrisome and frustrating than when a former spouse refuses to pay child support. Not only is this dangerous to the well-being of you and your family, but it is also illegal. That being said, if your former spouse has discontinued paying child support, you must continue reading and speak with our knowledgeable New Jersey family law attorneys to learn more about how we can help you through every step of the process ahead. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What should I do if my former spouse refuses to pay child support?
If your former spouse has stopped paying child support, you must first speak with the Office of Child Support Services, regardless of whether you receive child support through them. As long as you haven’t received your child support payments for more than two weeks, OCSS agents should then conduct an investigation and work to enforce your child support agreement. That being said, this is obviously a time-sensitive matter, and OCSS does not always enforce these agreements as quickly as they should, which is why our firm can help you request action from the courts.
Can New Jersey courts enforce child support orders?
Fortunately, they can. There are several actions New Jersey courts may take to enforce your child support orders, including the following:
- They can suspend your former spouse’s professional license
- They can place liens on your ex’s assets
- They can seize personal injury claims winnings, tax refunds, or even seize lottery winnings
- They can garnish your former spouse’s wages
- They can suspend your former spouse’s driver’s license
- They can prohibit your former spouse from renewing his or her passport
- They can seize certain assets from your former spouse’s bank account
Once your spouse begins making payments on time once again, he or she should no longer be subjected to these penalties. However, if your spouse still refuses to pay child support even after courts take action against him/her, New Jersey courts can report the failure to pay child support to credit agencies, which will have a drastic effect on your spouse’s credit score. If this still does not work, New Jersey courts can issue a warrant for your spouse’s arrest. We know how stressful it can be when a former spouse refuses to pay child support, which is why our Morristown family law attorneys are ready to help you today. All you have to do is give us a call.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
If you are considering a divorce and need an attorney who can effectively represent you through every step you can count on Lazor Rantas, PC. We proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey as they navigate divorce and family law matters. To discuss your case with an experienced legal team, contact Lazor Rantas, PC today.