Tampa Child Support Enforcement Attorney
In 1975 the Department of Health and Human Services established the Child Support Enforcement Program to make sure that minor children are financially supported by both of their parents, reduce welfare costs, foster responsible parental behavior, and to emphasize the importance of children having both parents in their life. In Florida, there are child support guidelines that determine the amount of support to be paid. When parents do not comply with a child support order, the Florida Department of Revenue has the authority to enforce the order. Below, our Tampa child support enforcement attorney explains further.
How are Child Support Payments Enforced in Tampa?
When a parent is behind on child support payments, the other parent can petition the court to enforce the order. Both parents will have to appear in court and a family law judge will listen to both sides. The court can enforce a child support order in many ways, including:
- Withholding tax refunds,
- Suspending a Florida driver’s license,
- Garnishing paychecks, and
- Placing a lien on property, such as a primary residence.
If a child support enforcement order has been issued against you, it is critical that you work with a Tampa child support enforcement attorney. Our experienced attorney can examine your finances and situation to negotiate a method to repay your costs so your child can receive the necessary support. This can result in a deferral of payments, reduced payments, or a modification of future payments.
Modifying Child Support Payments
If you pay child support and find that you can no longer afford the payments, you can petition the court to modify the current order. The law recognizes that circumstances can change, and these changes can make it difficult for people to afford child support payments. There are many reasons you may need to modify a child support order. These include loss of employment, relocation, and other events. To obtain a child support modification, you must show that there has been a significant change in circumstances that warrants the modification.
If you are a parent who receives child support, you can also petition the court for a modification. If, for example, your child’s other parent receives a promotion and you believe they can afford to pay more in support, you can also petition the court for a modification. Again, you will have to show that there has been a significant change in circumstances in order to obtain a modification.
Our Child Support Enforcement Attorney in Tampa Can Advise On Your Case
Whether you are trying to enforce a child support order or an enforcement order has been issued against you, it is critical that you obtain sound legal advice. At Florida Law Advisers, P.A., our Tampa child support enforcement attorney can provide it and guide you through the process so you obtain the best possible outcome. Contact us now by calling 1 (800) 990-7763 or by filling out our online form to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to get the legal help you need.