What are the consequences for failing to comply with a child support order?

In California, failure to comply with a child support order has serious consequences. The party responsible for paying the child support could be found in contempt of court and may face both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties for failing to comply with a child support order in California include wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, and driver’s license suspensions. The responsible party’s wages or bank accounts can also be frozen by the court. Additionally, California courts may also deny the responsible party certain professional or recreational licenses. Criminal penalties for failing to comply with a child support order can be severe. California law states that anyone who willfully fails to pay child support can be found guilty of a misdemeanor or even a felony depending on the amount of money owed. If convicted of a misdemeanor, the responsible party may face up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, and/or probation with additional conditions. For a felony conviction, the penalty may include up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, failing to comply with a child support order can have a lasting impact on one’s credit, which can make it difficult to obtain housing and other types of credit in the future. Therefore, it is important for anyone who has been ordered to pay child support to comply with the order and ensure that payments are being made in a timely manner.

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What are the consequences for failing to comply with a child support order?

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