On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child support on Friday, November 2, 2018.
People often focus on some of the more commonly-discussed consequences associated with unpaid child support, which include stiff financial penalties and being taken into custody. Although these are serious concerns that should worry any parent who has fallen behind on their child support, there are other consequences that may lie ahead for you if you are delinquent on your child support responsibilities. For example, you may not be able to get a passport and this could prevent you from traveling, potentially derailing plans that have been in place for months and sometimes years.
Many people travel for leisurely purposes and to take a break from their chaotic life (this can be especially true for those who have just been through a tricky divorce). This certainly is not the only reason why people cross borders, however. Others may need to attend a wedding, funeral or some other important event. Not to mention, many people have to travel for business purposes. Unfortunately, falling behind on child support can make all of this impossible.
In fact, even if you are aware of the problem, it may be too late, depending on when you were originally planning to leave the country. It can take weeks for your name to be cleared after making payment arrangements and you may not be able to obtain your passport until important dates have passed. As a result, you should be aware of your options before you fall behind and try to address your back payments promptly if you already have.
