What Happens If Your Ex Moves Out of State and Stops Paying Child Support in Fort Lauderdale?
Few things are more stressful than relying on child support payments in Fort Lauderdale that suddenly stop. You budgeted for those funds, relying on them for rent, groceries, and after-school care, but now you’re scrambling.
If the other parent moved out of state and stopped paying, you’re not powerless. Florida law provides several tools to help parents enforce child support orders, even when the other parent lives hundreds of miles away.
Our Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer explains how cross-state enforcement works, your options, and what to do right now to protect your family’s financial stability.
Why an Out-of-State Move Doesn’t Erase Fort Lauderdale Child Support Obligations
Child-support orders don’t disappear just because someone crosses state lines. Under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) and the Florida Statutes (Section 88.1011), every state must honor and enforce valid child-support orders issued elsewhere.
That means if the Broward County court ordered your ex to pay child support in Fort Lauderdale, that order still applies. Enforcement can happen in several ways:
- Income withholding: Florida’s Department of Revenue (DOR) can coordinate with your ex’s new state to garnish wages directly from their employer.
- Asset seizure: Not paying child support in Fort Lauderdale can result in seizure of funds in bank accounts, state lottery winnings, and certain government benefits.
- Contempt proceedings: If the court finds willful nonpayment, your ex can face fines or even jail time.
- License suspension: Florida may suspend professional, recreational, or driver’s licenses until payments resume.
- Tax refund intercepts: Federal and state refunds can be seized to cover overdue child support.
Even if your ex refuses to cooperate, these mechanisms keep pressure on and can restore payment consistency.
Steps To Take Right Now to Protect Your Rights to Child Support in Fort Lauderdale
It’s frustrating when the other parent ignores child support responsibilities and can put your family’s financial security at risk. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer can help you gather the evidence needed for enforcement and guide you through the process. Here’s what to do:
- Document missed payments: Keep records of when and how Fort Lauderdale child support payments stopped.
- Contact the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR): They can initiate interstate enforcement and communicate with agencies in your ex’s new state.
- File a Motion for Contempt or Enforcement: This asks the Broward County Family Court to take direct action against the non-paying parent.
- Avoid informal deals: Don’t agree to “pause” payments or other informal arrangements, as doing so can weaken your enforcement case.
If you’re struggling financially, there are temporary relief options, like modifying the order for quicker wage garnishment or requesting payment through the state disbursement unit.
Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Support Lawyer Today
At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, we help Broward County residents track down delinquent child support payments, enforce support orders across state lines, and hold non-paying parents accountable. To protect your rights and your family’s financial security, contact us today and request a consultation with our experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0088/0088.html
floridarevenue.com/childsupport/Pages/default.aspx
