Dealing with Deadbeat Parents in Illinois

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Uncategorized

Even after a divorce is final, custody agreements are settled and support payments ordered, the adults and children who lived through the experience can still live through periods of uncertainty. This is especially true if a custodial parent stops receiving the child support payments they count on for monthly expenses related to raising their children.

Illinois Laws Push for Payment

For years custodial parents felt they had no recourse if their ex-spouse suddenly stopped or refused paying agreed upon monthly child support payments. To help custodial parents pursue that money, and encourage continued payment, the state of Illinois enacted a series of enforcement programs. These laws apply to both deadbeat dads and moms:

• Income Withholding: All Illinois employers are required to file a report of all new hires with the state. Reports are shared with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and Orders to Withhold Income for Child Support are submitted to the employer if it is found that a  new employee is delinquent in their child support payments.
• Drivers License Suspension: The Illinois Secretary of State’s office can suspend the driver’s license of anyone who is more than 90 days late in child support payments.
• Jail Time: If a judge finds the non-custodial parent is intentionally withholding child support payments they can be found in contempt of court and ordered to make the payment. If they fail to comply with the judge’s order, they can be sent to jail.
• Publication of Debt: Delinquent child support payments can be added to a non-custodial parent’s credit report, making it difficult to buy a car, secure a loan or conduct other financial transactions.
• As of 1997, custodial parents have up to 20 years after their child’s 18th birthday to pursue and collect past due child support payments.

Non-custodial parents long felt that the division of expenses was unfair, and placed on them a larger burden of the cost of raising children after a divorce. A new Illinois law that went into effect this past July now takes a broader look at all income sources of both parents in an effort to create a more equitable child support plan.

Pursue Owed Monies with Help of an Experienced Aurora Child Support Lawyer

It is important to know that there are steps you can take if your ex-spouse is delinquent in their payments of court-ordered child support. By working with a knowledgeable and aggressive Illinois divorce and child support attorney, you can pursue the payments due you and your children. Contact the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. to schedule an initial consultation and discuss your options.

Sources:

http://herald-review.com/news/local/state-and-regional/child-support-changes-seek-fairness/article_cbe47b91-6508-5e69-a84d-507c5b18f332.html

https://legalbeagle.com/deadbeat-dad-laws-10203.html#deadbeat-dad-laws-in-illinois