New Jersey Child Support Enforcement Lawyer
Our Law Firm Can Help Enforce Child Support Orders Or Agreements
As a single parent trying to raise children, it can be frustrating if the other parent fails to pay court-ordered child support. You may fall into financial peril without those weekly payments. And it’s important to remember that those payments are legally obligated and often an important part of many divorce agreements.
If your co-parent is in arrears and not paying child support, contact our New Jersey child support enforcement lawyers for help. Our legal team at Williams Law Group, LLC can act quickly on your behalf to recoup the child support owed to you.
On the other hand, if you owe child support and have trouble paying, we can immediately help to set up a plan that works for you. New Jersey’s courts take child support obligations very seriously, and there is no way to escape this vital obligation. If your family receives child support, talk to our skilled attorneys about enforcement-related issues facing you.
– Victor M.
Enforcing Child Support Orders in New Jersey
When a court in New Jersey sets the original child support order, it also outlines a payment method. The New Jersey Department of Human Services has the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) to track child support obligations. The OCSS will know when someone is behind on their child support payments, and they have the authority to take measures to obtain money owed to someone as part of their child support agreement.
However, because the OCSS is a public institution, its agents can rarely provide quick, personalized service. They handle thousands of cases, and it can take quite a while to implement an action plan. A New Jersey child support enforcement lawyer can give you the personalized attention you need when it comes to lack of payments from a parent and provide you with the legal guidance you deserve.
How Do Child Support Payments Work In New Jersey?
Often in New Jersey, child support payments go through the Probation Office of the county where the child resides. Courts can set up automatic deductions from the wages of the paying parent to make sure such payments are made in full and on time.
This can be difficult in the case of a self-employed payer, for instance, but a knowledgeable legal advisor can be helpful in the enforcement of child support orders in this case as well. They can even negotiate good-faith payments outside of the Probation Office process.
Individuals may also set up regular deductions from a personal checking account, rather than a wage garnishment. Courts take a child’s right to financial support very seriously, and they have a wide latitude for enforcing that right.
What a Court Can do to Enforce Paying Child Support?
New Jersey courts have a Child Support Enforcement Unit, dedicated to promoting the welfare of children receiving support. Additionally, the Federal Office of Child Support becomes involved once the child support owed surpasses $2,500.
Along with courts and the OCSS, they have the power to seize assets, withhold income, and intercept lottery winnings and tax refunds. Unpaid support will affect credit ratings and can result in the suspension of professional licenses or a passport denial. Courts in New Jersey can even issue a warrant for the arrest of the non-paying party which can result in jail time.
What Happens If A Parent Fails To Make Child Support Payments?
It is not hard to fall behind in weekly payments and the debt can add up quickly. Sometimes the payer may feel overwhelmed and simply walk away from the obligation. Courts, the federal government, the OCSS, and Probation Departments can help implement many of the above interventions.
This process can become complicated, however, and a parent who needs child support to pay bills often does not have time to wait for help. A legal professional with experience in support enforcement can explain the next steps and support clients in getting those critical weekly payments.
Reach Out to a New Jersey Child Support Enforcement Attorney Today
The welfare of you and your child depends on many things, including financial stability. When non-payment threatens your family’s security, our team of New Jersey child support enforcement lawyers is ready to advocate for you. We can help the process move swiftly to resolution so you and your child can find some stability.
Keep in mind that the administrative office of the courts dedicates resources to helping parents who are owed money, but the process can be slow. An experienced attorney at our New Jersey law firm can help you in your circumstance. Reach out today to get back to financial security for you and your family. Contact us and schedule an appointment at one of our two New Jersey office locations – Short Hills and Parsippany.
Williams Law Group, LLC – here to help you take back control of your life.