Enforcing Child Support or Alimony

Women provide the majority of caregiving support, whether such support is to children, parents, or spouses. An estimate sixty-six percent (66%) of caregivers are female.

The most recent statistics (2007) show that approximately eighty-five percent (85%) of women are awarded primary custody of their children. A child support order is a legal order that establishes a parent’s obligation to provide financial support to their child.

Failure to pay child support or alimony can result in a number of consequences that affect more than just an individual’s financial circumstances. Failure to pay child support can affect federal income taxes, business or professional licenses, or a Florida driver’s license.

Attorney for Enforcing Child Support Orders in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

If you or someone you has had trouble collecting child support or alimony from an ex-spouse or co-parent after a Florida court with valid jurisdiction has provided such an award, contact the experienced family law attorneys at the FLWC.

Our attorneys are dedicated to fighting for women’s issues in Florida, including the issues in parenting, time-sharing, and child custody. Our goal is to provide women a strong foothold in the legal system and aide in the fight for justice.

Call (954) 500-5555 now or fill out our online evaluation form to tell us more about how one of our experienced attorneys can help you.

Overview of Enforcing Child Support or Alimony in Broward County

What Happens If I Don’t Pay Child Support or Alimony?

Enforcement of child support and alimony agreements are governed by the Florida Department of Revenue. Failure to pay child support or alimony after a valid Florida court order can result in a number of penalties. Some of the most common penalties for failure to pay child support or alimony include the following:

Income withholding
Late Payment Notice
Business or professional license suspension
Federal Income Tax Interception
Garnishment
Passport Denial

Florida Driver’s License Suspension

It is relatively common knowledge that an individual can have his or her wages garnished for failing to pay child support. Most people do not know that failing to pay court-ordered child support or alimony can result in a Florida driver’s license suspension.

Driver’s suspension notices are mailed to the parent and he or she has twenty (20) days to pay what they owe, enter into a written agreement for past due payment, or file a petition to the court to contest the failure to pay. If the individual does nothing, then Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will suspend the individual’s license.

Personal Property Lien

Another consequence that is not commonly known to individuals who fail to pay child support is that the Florida Department of Revenue is authorized to place a lien on a motor vehicle or boat registered with the paying party if he or she owes at least $600.

Additional Resources

Custodial Mothers and Fathers – Visit the United States Census to find statistics on the percentage of women who are awarded custody of minor children in a co-parenting, time-sharing arrangement. Also, find more information on the average amount of child support awarded for that year.

Enforcement of Child Support – Visit the Florida Department of Revenue for more information about the consequences for failing to pay a court-ordered child support payment in Florida. The website also has information on how and where to pay child support.

Find an Attorney for Enforcing Support Orders

Considering that women are still the primary caregivers of children and spouses, being able to have financial support to successfully provide for that child or to get on your feet as an individual is imperative.

The Florida Women’s Law Center was designed to aid women in their fight for justice in Florida Courtrooms. Our goal is to provide women with the opportunity to discuss their legal issues with another woman who can empathize and relate. The Florida Women's Law Center, a division of the Bacchus & Navarro Law Group, devoted to tackling various issues in the community and helping women navigate the often confusing and convoluted legal system.

Our office is located in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, just minutes from the Broward County Central Courthouse. We accept cases in Miami-Dade County, Hendry County, Palm Beach County, and Collier County, FL.

Call our office at (954) 500-5555 to schedule a no obligations consultation.

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401 E Las Olas Blvd #1400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301