How does arrearage affect a child support order?

Arrearage is the accumulation of unpaid child support that has built up over time. In the state of Virginia, when a parent fails to pay the amount of child support that they are ordered to pay, they are said to be in arrearage with the court. This affects the child support order in a variety of ways. The court may choose to add interest onto the unpaid amount, which can make it even more difficult for the non-custodial parent to pay off the arrearage. If the amount of arrearage is too large, the court may also order the non-custodial parent to pay the full amount all at once, rather than making monthly payments. The court may also take more severe actions such as taking away the non-custodial parent’s driver’s license or garnishing their wages. The court may also issue a “show cause” order, which requires the non-custodial parent to appear in court and explain why they have not paid the child support they are ordered to pay. The court’s goal in addressing arrearage is to ensure that the child receives the payments they are due and that the non-custodial parent meets their court-ordered obligations. It is important that both parents understand their obligations and comply with the court orders, as failure to do so can have serious consequences.

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