It is no secret that the recession has been particularly hard on Wisconsin. In troubled economic times, court ordered child support takes on added importance. Parents depend on child support to provide the basis necessities, including food, clothing, and daycare, for their kids. When child support payments are missed, children suffer.
Recently, a Wisconsin man pleaded guilty to charges that he failed to pay legal child support. The 35-year-old Watertown man was initially ordered to pay $189 per month for the support of his child beginning December 1, 2000. However, prosecutors alleged he had not made any payments since October 2009. Since that time, the total amount of child support in arrearage amounted to $21,444.15.
As a result of his guilty plea, the man faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution in the amount of child support he owes.
In tough economic times, child support payments become more important to the receiving parent and child. However, tough economic times can also make child support more difficult to afford for the parent who is under a legal obligation to make monthly payments.
When a child support issue reaches a criminal court, it is very possible for both of the parents and the child to be worse off as a result. If a paying spouse is imprisoned, his or her ability to make child support payments will be harmed. Before the situation is escalated to a criminal prosecution, it is important to remember that parents on both sides of the equation have legal remedies available.
The paying parent can request a downward modification if he or she can show that changed circumstances have harmed his or her ability to pay. The receiving parent has child support enforcement remedies as well. These remedies include income withholding, withholding income tax returns, property seizures, property liens and court-ordered punishment to encourage payment.
Source: Justice.gov, “Wisconsin Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Pay Legal Child Support,” 5/17/2011
