Last month, we reported that a judge had ordered a Wisconsin man not to have any more children until he demonstrates that he can financially support the nine children he already has. Now, another Wisconsin man has received a similar order, but in this latest case, the judge has gone one step further. The man also must reveal within three minutes of meeting a woman that he is a convicted felon with overdue child support obligations.
The unusual order came after the 28-year-old father pleaded guilty to the felony charge of failure to pay child support in 2011 for over 120 days. During sentencing, a Washburn County Circuit Court judge told him that he cannot have any more children until he is paid up on his delinquent support. This has been done before, following a previous case authorizing judges to issue such orders. The obligation to notify potential mates of one’s criminal past is novel, at least to this man.
These cases illustrate the risks of falling behind in child support payments. The more one falls behind, the more difficult it becomes to get caught up. A failure to pay can lead to child support enforcement proceedings and criminal charges. That is why it is important to seek help.
In Wisconsin, and in other states, the financial obligation of a non-custodial parent is often based on a percentage of the parent’s income applying a statutory child support formula. If there is a substantial change in circumstances, it may be possible to modify the original child support order. If you have fallen behind in your monthly payments, it can help to seek advice from a knowledgeable child support attorney who can review your financial circumstances and seek child support modification if appropriate.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Wisconsin man in child support case ordered not to have more children,” The Associated Press, Jan. 17, 2013
