With rare exception, the non-custodial parent will pay child support to the custodial parent. Child Support will be set up in the divorce decree. See “Child Support” under Divorce.
After divorce, child support can remain an issue of concern for many years. When one party does not pay court ordered child support, the other party can bring an action to enforce the order which could include an action for contempt. If a parent is found in contempt for disobeying a court order to pay child support, the offending party could be jailed, fined, or both. The Court could also order the offending party to reimburse some or all of the attorney fees you paid.
One of the primary ways to avoid non-payment or late payment issues is to have a Withholding Order issued. This will order the parent’s employer to withhold a certain amount from his/her paycheck and it will be sent to the Child Support Disbursement Unit where the payment is recorded and then forwarded to you.
The amount of the child support payments can be subject to change. An action to modify the child support order can be brought if the paying parent has had a substantial increase in his/her income. An action could also be brought if the paying parent lost his/her job and is making substantially less.
The payment of health care insurance and the health care costs not covered by insurance is enforceable the same as child support.
