What are the consequences of not paying child support?

In Washington, not paying child support can have serious consequences. Depending on the circumstances, non-payment may result in wage garnishment, fines, and in some cases, jail time. If the non-payment is due to the inability to pay, the court may order wage garnishment. This is when the court requires money be taken out of the obligated parent’s earnings and sent to the person that receives the child support payments. This amount is often taken out of the parent’s paycheck before taxes, generally for a certain period of time. If the parent does not pay child support despite having the financial means to do so, a court may issue fines. The fines will vary based on the amount of child support that is unpaid. In some cases, willful non-payment of child support can result in jail time, if the court finds this to be the appropriate action. The time served in jail can vary but is often between 30 and 90 days. It is important to note that not paying court-ordered child support can also have an impact on a person’s credit score and standing with collection agencies. It is best to contact the court to try to work out a payment plan if one cannot pay the full amount of the court-ordered child support.

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What are the consequences of not paying child support?

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