Child Support

Child support is generally paid while the child is under 18 years old. The most common payment method for child support is wage assignment. A court order is placed to automatically deduct wages from the paycheck. If the parent habitually does not pay, the courts could place further enforcement on the owed payments. Another option for receiving payment is a levy on property owned by the parent. A lien can also be used on real estate. The property will be seized and given to the other parent to replace the payment. Government can play larger roles in the collection process. They can intercept income tax refund checks to pay the debt. Failing to pay child support can result in contempt of court which could lead to criminal sentencing.