Phoenix Child Support Enforcement Lawyer
The state of Arizona does everything within its power to encourage parents to take financial responsibility for their children. Whether you are divorced or whether you were never married to your child's other parent, you are expected to comply with child support orders.
If you fail to make court-ordered child support payments, sanctions can include:
- Garnishment of wages
- Garnishment of tax refunds
- Incarceration
At The Law Offices of Wendy Raquel Hernandez, P.C. we help the custodial parent — often the mother — obtain child support payments from the child's other parent. We also represent clients who are facing sanctions for nonpayment of child support.
Petitions of Enforcement
There are typically two approaches to child support enforcement. If the person obliged to pay support is only a month or two behind, we may recommend filing a petition of enforcement. This creates an official record of non-payment and often serves as an incentive for the other party to either pay the arrearages (back payments) in full or make other arrangements to fulfill the obligation. We may also request that the Department of Economic Security (DES) become involved in the case. They can assist by seizing tax returns, determining employment status, and garnishing wages or tax refunds.
Contempt of Court
In cases in which non-payment of child support has continued for many months or years, we will typically ask the court to find the other party in contempt. This allows the court to impose the most serious of sanctions, including incarceration.
If you have been incarcerated for nonpayment of child support, we may be able to help negotiate your release from jail. Typically this involves a partial payment of the amount due and a schedule for making ongoing payments.
To arrange a consultation about child support enforcement, please do not hesitate to contact the family law attorney Wendy Raquel Hernandez. From offices in Phoenix, we represent clients throughout Arizona.
