When a
child support order is established by the court, the noncustodial parent is responsible
for making monthly payments to the custodial parent to support your children.
The majority of noncustodial parents are men.
Florida Deadbeat Dads
While many fathers consistently make these payments and spend time with
their kids, others are simply “deadbeat dads.” These fathers
refuse to be—emotionally or financially—there when their children
need them and miss child support payments for months or even years.
However, Florida’s Deadbeat Dad Law holds noncustodial parents to
their responsibility to financially support their kids. Although not everyone
who falls behind on child support payments is not considered a deadbeat
dad, the law only pertains to those who intentionally evade parental responsibility.
The custodial parent must provide evidence to the court that shows the
noncustodial parent is purposefully missing payments. Common examples
of evidence include documentation of missed payments and the noncustodial
parent’s attempts to communicate with the other parent (e.g. text
messages, voice mails, and e-mails).
If a deadbeat dad intentionally continues to miss child support payments
in Florida, the court can do any one of the following:
- Wage garnishment
- Seize bank accounts
- Sell assets from the estate
- Suspension driver’s license and/or passport
- Contempt of court
- Jail time
Remember, custodial parents are not allowed to withhold
child custody or visitation from noncustodial parents who consistently fail to make child support
payment. Child support and visitation are completely different and unrelated.
For more information about child support in Daytona Beach,
contact the Law Offices of Robert Stepniak today at (386) 253-4750 and schedule
a free consultation.