{"id":372501,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/child-support-enforcement-in-florida.html"},"modified":"2024-11-22T09:08:47","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T14:08:47","slug":"child-support-enforcement-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/child-support-enforcement-in-florida.html","title":{"rendered":"Child Support Enforcement in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Child Support Enforcement in Florida<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Florida takes the enforcement of child support<\/a> seriously. If a non-custodial parent refuses (or is unable) to pay their child support obligations, their children suffer. The family court judges’ primary concern is the best interests of the child. This is why they offer a bevy of child support services to parents who are having a hard time getting their ex to pay support under a court order.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll explain how Florida’s child support enforcement laws work. We’ll describe the steps you can take to force your child’s other parent to pay their child support<\/a>. We will also discuss the consequences of failing to pay child support in Florida.<\/p>\r\n

What Are the Consequences of Failing to Pay Child Support in Florida?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Failure to pay child support can have dire consequences. If a parent can pay child support and refuses, the judge may find them in contempt of court<\/a>. This is a severe offense and may involve jail time and fines.<\/p>\r\n

Failure to pay child support can also negatively affect a person’s credit score and result in property liens. Depending on how much child support you owe, the Florida Department of Revenue can take extreme measures to recover monies under a child support order<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Some of the consequences of failing to pay child support include:<\/p>\r\n