You must acquire a court order to receive child support payments in Connecticut. Usually, these matters are determined as part of your divorce proceedings. You can get a child support order by going to court or applying for an IV-D.
Once you have an order, you should begin receiving payments. However, if your child’s other parent does not pay the ordered support amounts, you may wonder what legal options you have.
Enforcement of child support payments
If you applied for IV-D services, you could have your child support order enforced in three ways. These include having their license suspended, being held in contempt or having a part of their income automatically withheld.
It’s also possible to go back to court with representation to find the other party in contempt. This is usually the sort of action you would take when there is a deliberate refusal to pay despite ability or a repeated pattern of behavior.
Alternative resolution for not receiving child support payments
If the non-custodial parent has failed to pay child support, it may be smart to talk to your child’s other parent to determine why this issue has occurred. For example, did they have a change in their income or job?
If so, it may be possible to reach an agreement about payments without returning to court (if the issue is temporary) if they just need a few extra days to pay. However, it’s important to understand that you cannot “forgive” a co-parent’s support obligation. They must seek a modification for any kind of significant relief.
Child support orders are designed to ensure the custodial parent has the funds needed to care for their children. If the non-custodial parent does not pay the court-ordered amount, you have legal recourse. Knowing your rights in these situations is beneficial.