Child Support: Can Delinquent Payments Be Reported to Credit Reporting Agencies?

Melvin Richardson
The economy has a lot of people falling back on their heels. Some have stopped paying mortgages, credit cards, and other consumer loans. There are other debts which are now being neglected more so than in the past. Child support payments are going unpaid because of the slow down in economic activity. These payments are normally court ordered which means they are payroll deducted. If someone loses their job child support payments are still due. The payments that are due will continue to accrue and add up. If you are unable to pay you should contact the child support enforcement agency, and make arrangements or at the very least make them aware of your situation. When payments go unpaid it sets certain motions in action.

If someone has delinquent child support it can definitely be reported to credit reporting agencies. This delinquency can actually affect your credit score by lowering it. If your credit score is lower you may have to pay a higher rate of interest for different credit products such as mortgages, loans and credit cards.

When you score is lowered your credit card accounts may lower your credit limits because they will consider you to be more of a risk.

This delinquency can actually be reported on your credit file for seven years. In some cases your driver license can be suspended. There are all kinds of consequences that can arise as a result of not paying your child support. Your wages can be garnished and bank accounts can be attached or levied. The most delinquent offenders can actually spend some time in jail.

When there are a lot of assets to go after such as bank accounts, property, and other assets an attorney can assist you with the means to go after these to secure child support payments.

If you are in a position to make your child support payments it is best that you continue to make the payments on a regular basis.

Your income tax refund check can be intercepted and applied towards your delinquent child support. This can happen every year that you are in a delinquent status until you are able to catch up to date. You will receive a letter stating what has happened with your income tax refund. This will explain any delay when you are looking for a tax refund. It won't matter if you file electronically or through the mail the payments can still be taken.

http://www.bills.com/blog/collecting-on-delinquent-child-support/

Published by Melvin Richardson

speaker, coach , author -- My other interests include internet marketing, blogging, reading, writing  View profile

3 Comments

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  • Pammila Allen3/27/2010

    I remembered that when a person owes child support and they are re-married and the checking account is garnished, the new spouse can file for injured spouse to get their portion of the money back that was garnished. Thanks

  • Pammila Allen3/15/2010

    Child support can be a serious problem, sometimes even abused. Thanks for sharing.

  • Michelle M. Guilbeau-Sheppard5/1/2009

    Excellent information Mel!

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