If you are a parent who is struggling to make ends meet, you may be considering skipping child support payments. However, it is quite important to understand the potential consequences of doing so.
In Canada, a court typically orders child support, which is payable to the parent with primary custody of the child. If you aren’t able to make child support payments, you may be held in contempt of court and could face serious penalties like jail time.
If you struggle to make child support payments, it is important to seek legal assistance to discuss your options. There may be alternatives available, such as modifying the support order or reaching an agreement with the other parent.
Continue reading to know more.
What Are the Consequences of Skipping Child Support?
If you do not pay child support, you may face a number of consequences. First, if you are held in contempt of court, you could be fined or jailed. Other consequences may also include:
1. Income Tax Refunds.
If you owe child support, your income tax refund can be withheld and applied to your unpaid balance. This is essentially a tax offset to cover your missed payments. Rather than the expected refund, the offset will be going towards your existing child support debt instead.
2. Suspension of Passport.
If you owe child support, the government has the authority to suspend your passport. This means that you will not be able to travel outside of the country until your debt is paid in full. This can be quite an inconvenience if you have upcoming essential or leisure travel plans.
3. Cancellation of Driver’s License.
If you owe child support, your license to drive can be cancelled for a certain period of time. This means that you will not be able to operate a motor vehicle until your debt is paid properly. This can be quite troublesome when you rely on driving to get to work or school.
4. Seizure of Accounts and Assets.
If you owe child support pay, the government may seize your assets. This includes your bank accounts, property, and even your wages. The government can certainly place a lien on your property, which means that you will not be able to sell it or use it as collateral for a loan until the debt is paid in full.
Is a Reduction in Child Support Payments Possible?
There are several ways to reduce your child support payments. Request the court to modify your support order if you have experienced a change in circumstances, such as a job loss or a decrease in income. You can also have a legal expert negotiate a payment reduction with the other parent.
Is Debt Consolidation Applicable to Child Support?
Child support payments can be tough to cover, especially if you have multiple children. You may be able to reduce your payments by consolidating your debts. A debt loan or debt program has the potential to lower the amount of interest you pay and make it easier to make one monthly payment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are a parent who wants to skip child support payments in Canada, it is important to be quite aware of the potential consequences. Not only could you be held financially responsible, but you could also face legal penalties, including jail time.
Want to know about child support in Canada? Dreyer and Associates Family Lawyers is committed to preserving the best interests of families across the Fraser Valley, BC, with our experience in family law, wills and estates, and residential conveyancing. Get in touch with us now.
