The state of Florida takes child support very seriously. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, employers are even required to withhold support money from the noncustodial parent’s paycheck if there is a court order. If that parent does not report a new job, or fails to make his or her payments, there are several possible consequences. Failure to pay could result in license suspension, liens on property, wage garnishment or even incarceration. Parents who continue not to pay their support in full may be denied certain privileges, such as obtaining a passport or holding a business license.
Since child support is so crucial, not only for the children’s well-being, but also for the parent’s record, it is important to budget carefully and stay current on payments. Some people who have never mastered the concept of managing a budget may benefit from doing so after a divorce in order to keep their finances in order. Debt.org offers tips on how to establish a budget. The first step is to find a method that works. While some people prefer electronic filing, others prefer the traditional hand-written method.
Next, prioritizing expenses helps to reveal the big picture. Beginning by adding up each necessary expense, including child support, will help parents to see how much money they need to make. Then an analysis of the parent’s net salary will reveal whether his or her current job is sufficient to meet those needs. After those essential needs are calculated, the list may expand to include leisure items such as entertainment. Since a specific allotted amount for child support is a new expense after divorce, financial priorities may need to be rearranged in order to accommodate it. Having an organized budget may help the noncustodial parent to prepare for the payments ahead of time and alter financial priorities accordingly.
