Tips for Fathers Paying Child Support
As a father, it’s your responsibility to provide for your kids in any way possible. Sometimes, through the result of a divorce, you end up legally required to pay child support. This responsibility should always be taken seriously, not just because of the legality of the arrangement, but because your kids rely on those payments to live a healthy life. Each state has its own unique set of requirements when it comes to child support, but there are still certain tips you can keep in mind to make sure you are fulfilling your fatherly obligations. Below, we are going to discuss some tips for fathers that are paying child support. If you have questions about child support or would like to speak with a knowledgeable attorney, reach out to The Johnson Law Firm and Associates today.
1. Pay on Time
This might seem like a straightforward and obvious tip for fathers paying child support, but it’s actually surprising how many fathers struggle to pay on time. The consequences of missing a payment can be intense, such as garnished checks and even jail time. It can be a huge challenge to catch up on missed child support payments, so it’s best to avoid that situation entirely by simply paying on time each month. Things can also get heated between you and your ex-spouse if you start paying late, so keep that in mind.
2. Don’t Threaten to Withhold Payments
Sometimes, the idea of sending your ex money each month becomes too much to bear. That doesn’t mean you should threaten them to withhold child support payments, because that is illegal and can lead to dire consequences. If you don’t like the way that your ex-spouse is using the child support payments, you can document it and reach out to a lawyer to determine the best course of action. Just make sure you don’t allow your frustration to take over and lead to poor decisions.
3. Communicate Well with Your Ex
Just because you are separated from your ex doesn’t mean that you won’t ever have to communicate with them again. In fact, the clearer you are able to communicate with your ex about child support, the better things will be. If you decide to withhold information that relates to your child support payments, it can come back to get you in a big way. Try to touch base with your spouse about any problems you are having with child support, when they can expect payments and any other important information related to child support. Being proactive and communicating well is a great tip for father paying child support.
If you are a father that is required to pay child support, keep these tips in mind to help things go smoothly and provide for the future of your kids. Remember that you can always reach out to The Johnson Law Firm & Associates if you have any questions about paying child support or need legal advice.