Dealing with difficulties between separated parents


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The term deadbeat parent should not be taken lightly or easily thrown around. Just because one parent is upset with the other, it does not automatically mean the other parent is a deadbeat. The true meaning of a deadbeat parent is when a parent continuously fails to pay his or her court ordered child support. However, there are many reasons why a parent may fall behind on child support payments and being able to deal and work with those reasons can help make it possible for everyone to get along and prevent the children from being caught in the middle of a custody battle.

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Consequences If child support was court ordered, there are several things that may happen. Depending upon the state, the parent behind in support payments may be denied any federal and/or state income tax refund, have his or her license suspended and could face jail time. Some states also garnish the parent’s pay, taking a portion of the amount owed every payday. In fact, some states make it possible for parents to have their support payments automatically and then it is distributed by the state to the custodial parent. Reducing the chances of falling behind on payments.

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Action It is important to take action immediately upon the first missed payment. The first step is to ask the other parent, in a calm manner, what happened. There are various factors which may have caused payment to be late, such as loss of employment, an accident or other unforeseen financial crisis. If this is the case, try to come up with a solution to get the past due caught up that works for both parties. Visitation Visitation cannot be denied even if the parent has not paid his or her child support. Otherwise the custodial parent could be in danger of being held in contempt of court.

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Those still not being able to find a solution, even after discussing things with the other party, may have to seek assistance from an attorney. Lawyers centreville de are able to help renegotiate terms of an existing parental agreement and come up with different options to help catch up the parent who is behind in child support payments.