Are child support payments enforceable by law?

In the state of Pennsylvania, child support payments are enforceable by law. The state has a comprehensive legal framework to ensure that parents fulfill their financial obligations towards their children. Under Pennsylvania law, the court may order a parent to pay a certain amount of child support, called child support obligations. The court may use several methods to collect these payments, including garnishment of wages, liens on property, or suspension of the obligor’s driver’s license or professional license. The court may also refer the matter to the county Domestic Relations Office, which may take enforcement actions such as intercepting of tax refunds or public assistance payments or garnishing of wages or other income. In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has the authority to suspend or revoke the driver’s license or professional license of a parent who has failed to pay child support. DHS may also take additional enforcement action such as referral to the state attorney general for criminal prosecution, reporting the non-payment to credit bureaus, and requiring the obligor to post a bond for future payments. In summary, child support payments in Pennsylvania are enforceable by law. If a parent fails to pay child support, they risk having their wages garnished, assets seized, or their driver’s license or professional license suspended. The court and DHS also have additional enforcement tools to ensure that parents meet their child support obligations.

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