When two people share children after separation or divorce, both parents remain financially responsible for their upbringing. The family courts in Minnesota calculate child support using a standard formula and calculator, which a child support enforcement attorney can help explain during a consultation. Once the court issues an order, the payor must adhere to it or face legal consequences.
When a parent refuses to make payments as required by court order, the other may need to take action to enforce the order and collect any overdue payments. Schedule a consultation with a Mankato child support enforcement lawyer to learn more about the legal process and how to take the necessary steps to enforce an order. Our child support attorneys can help you hold the other parent accountable and ensure your child’s needs are met.
When a parent fails to adhere to court orders to make child support payments, they may face serious consequences. Factors considered for child support calculations include the following:
After the court orders child support and custody, one parent may have grounds for legal action to enforce these orders when the other parent fails to comply.
The consequences of failing to follow the guidelines and comply with child support orders can be severe, including wage garnishment. This means they take the payments directly from the person’s paychecks, place property liens on any real estate they own, and take away their business or driver’s license. A child support enforcement attorney in Mankato can go through each of these options with you to determine the most effective approach.
Child support enforcement ensures that children receive the financial support that the court has ordered a parent to pay. Some typical enforcement methods include:
The Blue Earth County Human Services – Child Support Division can provide services, including establishing paternity, locating absent parents, and collecting payments in arrears. A child support enforcement attorney can pursue appropriate legal action to ensure you receive the support you are owed.
When there are substantial changes in income, the court may allow for modifications to child support orders. Under Minnesota Statutes § 518A.39, a significant change in one of the parents’ income of at least 20 percent, the birth of additional children, and a change in the child’s needs, can be grounds for modifying current orders.
They may also consider cases involving a substantial change regarding medical or dental coverage, the time spent with each parent, or the child’s living situation. The court considers modification requests on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with your child’s best interests. A child support enforcement lawyer in Mankato can help prepare the proper documentation and file the request with the court.
Many families have financial struggles, and when a parent refuses to comply with a child support order, this can increase financial strain. You have the right to pursue legal action if the person you share children with refuses to make payments or falls behind.
We can help you communicate with Blue Earth County Child Support Services and, if necessary, take your case to family court. Meet with a compassionate and skilled Mankato child support enforcement lawyer for more information, guidance, and help navigating this challenging process.
