Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

The dire states of the economy and job market have led to financial hardship for many people. For parents in Ohio who are behind on their child support and unable to make payments, the Licking County Child Support Enforcement Agency is hoping that an array of options will help change that. According to a NewarkAdvocate.com article, the agency is considering arrear waivers for individuals financially unable to pay, community service programs that will help pay down amounts owed for parents who may be unemployed, and forgiveness of a certain portion of the amount of child support due for those individuals who qualify. Reportedly, because amounts owed are already paid to the parent who cares for the child, any waiver or reduction of payment would be taken as a loss by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, with no children being affected whatsoever.

While unemployment and other financial hardships are making it difficult for individuals across the country to make child support, the well being of one’s child should always be taken into account. Appropriate steps should be taken to ensure that at least a portion of an agreed upon amount of child support is paid each month. The law is very strict when it comes to enforcing child support payments in Pennsylvania. Consequently, the punishment for those who fail to make payments can be very severe. In the event that a parent refuses to make an effort to arrange for payment, an enforcement application can be filed with the court, and a variety of penalties may be imposed.

In Pennsylvania, there are legal options available for parents who have fallen behind on payments, yet want to make amends for past due amounts. For more information about child support arrangements in Pennsylvania, please contact the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100. Our experienced Pennsylvania family law attorneys offer free and completely confidential consultations, and are prepared to help you with your situation.

When children are involved, divorce and child support go hand-in-hand. In the majority of cases, divorcing parents know that child support payments will be made; how much those payments will be worth; and how the transaction will take place - whether through wage garnishment or otherwise. However, according to a WAFB.com article, a Baton Rouge man recently discovered that his wages have been garnished for years for a pair of children whom he doesn’t know and who belong to a woman that he never met.

Reportedly, the wage garnishing had always confused the man, but he figured that the reduction being made to his check was regarding taxes or insurance or some other necessary cost. Labeled as “Discretionary Allotment” on his check, the man never questioned the charge while serving 12 years in the United States Navy. However, after taking on a job at Wal-Mart, the man noticed that the reduction reappeared on his check, but this time labeled as “Family Support, Child Support” instead of the description used previously. The Louisiana resident contacted the Division of Child Support Enforcement of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, and the matter is currently being investigated in order to correct the error. Unfortunately, according to the Department of Human Services, mistakes like this do happen every once in a while, particularly when the mother filing the paperwork only knows that father-in-question’s name, and not his social security number.

At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our experienced Pennsylvania child support lawyers offer assistance in all areas of family law, including matters surrounding child support. For more information about how we can assist you, call us today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.