A parent who fails to make child support payments faces penalties such as accruing interest, wage garnishment, or even incarceration.
Non-payment and the role of federal government
If a noncustodial parent charged with nonpayment of child support moves to a different state to avoid the payments, he/ she may be convicted of a federal offense. The charges would fall under the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act.
In these cases, some of the factors the federal government would address are:
- The noncustodial parent failed to make the payments despite having the financial capability.
- The noncustodial parent did not pay the child support.
- Child support payments have not been made for at least one year.
- The pending child support payment amounts to more than $5000.
Penalties for single parents in the military
A parent who is in the military who is ordered to pay child support but does not can face severe penalties. The parent may even face termination.
Nonpayment defenses
A parent who has failed to make court ordered child support payments or has fallen behind in making payments, can attempt to prove that he or she has been providing for the child through monetary and non-monetary means but would need to hire a good Arizona child support attorney to set forth such defenses.