What Happens When Your Fort Lauderdale Child Support Payments Are Constantly Late?

Your rent is due tomorrow, but your Fort Lauderdale child support payment is three days late. Again. You’ve been covering groceries with your credit card all week, and now you’re wondering if you’ll have enough to pay the electric bill.

The Florida Statutes require timely child support payments in the full amount, not just whatever your ex feels like paying. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer explains your rights and how to prevent late payments from jeopardizing your financial security.

How Broward County Courts View Late Child Support Payments

Under the Florida Statutes (Section 61.13), child support is a legally binding obligation. Just like any other court order, there are specific provisions that must be followed, including due dates for payment.

Even if your ex eventually pays the full amount of child support, repeated lateness can still be a violation of the support order. When you bring an enforcement action, the Broward County Family Court carefully examines the payment pattern by looking at:

• How often payments arrive late each month, and how late they typically are.
• Whether your ex makes partial payments on time or waits to send everything late in one lump sum.
• Any clear pattern of inconsistency that suggests intentional disregard for deadlines rather than occasional financial hardship
• The financial impact on you as the receiving parent and on your child’s daily needs.

A documented pattern of late child support payments in Fort Lauderdale can lead to serious enforcement action, even if your ex claims they eventually paid the full amount.

How to Address Late Child Support Payments in Fort Lauderdale

Has your child’s other parent fallen into the habit of making late child support payments in Fort Lauderdale? You have legal options and you don’t have to wait for payment to stop completely to take action. Take these practical steps now to protect yourself and your child:

• Keep a detailed written record of each payment date and amount received, noting any differences from the court order.
• Communicate with your ex in writing, such as through text or email, about missed deadlines and late payments to create a documented trail.
• Use Florida’s State Disbursement Unit for tracking and processing all child support payments rather than accepting cash or personal checks.
• Avoid informal agreements that change payment terms or due dates.
• Consult a Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer immediately about enforcement options.

Broward County courts have powerful enforcement tools. These include wage garnishment, seizure of bank accounts and tax returns, and suspension of the non-paying parent’s driver’s or professional licenses.

Request a Consultation Today With An Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Support Lawyer

When child support payments in Fort Lauderdale are late, it can jeopardize your financial security and create constant stress. At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, we help Broward County parents resolve payment issues and recover the full amount owed.

Whether you need help taking enforcement actions or guidance on your legal options, call or contact our office online. Request a consultation today with an experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html