I Lost My Job, Do I Still Need To Pay Child Support?
Job loss, whether it is unexpected or you knew it was coming but had a difficult time putting money away in preparation, can be incredibly stressful. Getting by on unemployment may mean you have more bills than income. If this is the case for you, you may be wondering if you can put a pause on the child support you are required to pay.
Under Florida law, child support payments must continue. In order to have the amount you owe adjusted will require a payment modification. Making all of your payments on time is important, and if you need to have the payment reduced, discuss your situation with a West Palm Beach family attorney.
Support Modifications Could Be an Option
Stopping or reducing payments on your own can lead to an array of consequences. You may receive fines or have assets seized. It is also possible to have your driver’s license suspended or be required to serve jail time. You need to file for a child support modification if you are unable to afford the payments
Modifications can provide assistance in a couple of different ways. For example, it may be possible to temporarily stop payments, which could be the relief someone needs if they are laid off for a set period of time. Or, if you have lost your full-time job but have gig work that is supplying you with a reduced income, having your monthly payment obligation reduced could bring relief.
Other Concerns to Discuss with an Attorney
In addition to your support payments, you may be obligated to provide health insurance for your kids, insurance that may have been lost when you lost your job. For some, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a health insurance solution. But this can be expensive, as essentially COBRA allows you to keep your work insurance but your former employer is no longer subsidizing the amount owed.
Discuss all of the ways your job loss could impact your divorce agreement with a West Palm Beach family attorney as soon as you know your income will shift and your benefits will be lost. Then, a path forward can be strategized.
During stressful times of life, such as experiencing a job loss, you need to fortify your finances. Part of this could be securing a child support obligation reduction and finding another solution for kid’s healthcare insurance requirements. Income of both parties can be reassessed and payments can be modified, and maybe children can transition to the other spouse’s employment benefit plan for insurance purposes.
Have you lost your Florida job? Are you overwhelmed by bills and financial obligations? Connect with the seasoned legal team at Bruce S. Rosenwater & Associates to discuss the process of having your child support payment obligations paused or reduced. Our Florida attorneys have the skills, resources, and experience to inform you of all the options available. We have the experience to help you secure adjustments when your circumstances have changed since your divorce agreement was finalized. To get started, book a consultation with a qualified attorney today.
