Northern Virginia Child Support Enforcement Attorneys

Taking Action to Collect Child Support Payments

At HALE BALL MURPHY, PLC in northern Virginia, we understand and appreciate just how expensive it is to raise a child. A custodial parent who has to go a single month without an expected child support payment is often forced to make financial compromises that have a negative impact on parent and child. When the noncustodial parent continues to miss payments, the custodial parent is put in a very difficult position, often forced to use credit cards and borrow from other sources simply to make ends meet. If you have been put in this difficult position, you have the right to take action for enforcement. Our child support lawyers can help.

A variety of options are available. One that has proven effective is the rule to show cause. Through this process, the non-paying parent could face a penalty of up to 12 months in jail. Lesser penalties include driver’s license suspension. More often than not, the non-custodial parent will find a way to catch up on back child support to avoid these penalties. If the non-paying parent is in the military, we understand the channels to go through, including his or her commanding officer, to enforce child support.

In some cases, courts may impose attorney fees on the non-paying parent, meaning you may not be responsible for the cost of enlisting our services.

Avoiding Future Problems

We encourage parents to take advantage of income deduction orders and other automated means of obtaining monthly child support payments. Electronic funds transfers are becoming the norm. Rarely will the court allow the payor of child support to put a check in the mail every month, although that has been common in the past.

In addition to the ease of use that comes with automated methods, there is clear tracking. If money does not go from the payor’s account to the payee’s account, it is clear that child support payments have not been made. There can be no claims of checks lost in the mail. The payor can be held in contempt of court if the situation is not remedied and enforcement is needed.