Are There Any Legal Reasons to Stop Paying Child Support?

The State of Florida takes a parent’s duty to pay child support very seriously. Courts can garnish your wages, intercept your tax returns, and even send you to jail for nonpayment of child support. Nonetheless, there are some legally valid reasons to stop paying child support. In this article, the Tampa, FL, child custody lawyers at Westchase Law, P.A., will discuss legal reasons to stop making child support payments.

If your child reaches the age of majority 

Generally speaking (but not always), your burden to pay child support will end when your child reaches the age of majority or 18, so long as they’ve graduated from high school. If the child is still in high school at the age of 18, then support can continue until they graduate, or reach 19, whichever comes first.

In addition, emancipation, which can occur before the child turns 18, through either marriage or joining the military, also legally terminates your child support obligation.

Substantial change in circumstances

To get child support modified, you have to prove that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred to warrant the modification. If the paying parent suffers a substantial decrease in their income, such as job loss or disability, or the receiving parent experiences a substantial increase in income, it can become grounds for a modification.

In addition, changes to the child’s needs can also give rise to a child support modification. When the child’s needs change significantly, the court might see fit to adjust the paying parent’s child support payments.

Lastly, changes to the parent’s parental responsibility can give rise to a modification of child support.

Other situations that can cause a modification or termination of child support 

• Parental agreement – Both parents can agree to a change in child support, but they must obtain a court order that reflects the new agreement.
• Termination of parental rights – If the court terminates your parental rights, you are no longer obliged to make child support payments. However, termination of parental rights is very uncommon.

Important considerations 

A parent may not unilaterally decide to stop making child support payments. They will need a court order that liberates them from that duty. If you are currently struggling to make ends meet, and your child support burden is too heavy, you can petition the court for a modification with the help of a seasoned Tampa child custody lawyer. Failure to pay child support can lead to serious consequences, so you’ll want an attorney to represent your interests in this matter.

Talk to a Tampa, FL, Child Support Lawyer Today 

The Tampa family lawyers at Westchase Law, P.A., represent the interests of parents who are struggling to make child support payments. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your case right away.