When another parent does not pay child support as ordered, it is more than stressful—it can threaten your family’s financial stability. Many single parents rely on these payments for school, housing, clothing, medical care, and other basic expenses. If you are not sure how to move forward, our Frederick child support enforcement lawyers will evaluate your situation, explain Maryland’s enforcement options, and work to ensure your child’s other parent pays their child support obligation and follows the existing orders.
Unpaid child support can create financial uncertainty for you and instability for your child. Trying to balance work, caregiving responsibilities, and increasing costs without the support that the court has already recognized as necessary can be devastating. Our child support attorneys at Rolle & DeLorenzo understand how overwhelming this situation can be. We will guide you through the enforcement process to help you protect your child’s well-being.
The state provides several ways to enforce child support obligations, and each option serves a different purpose. When a parent fails to comply with a court order, you can request enforcement through the court or through the Child Support Administration. Our Frederick attorneys with experience in child support enforcement will explain which path may be most effective based on your circumstances.
One commonly used enforcement method is wage withholding, which directs an employer to deduct support payments from the nonpaying parent’s paycheck. Wage withholding offers consistent and predictable payments, helping stabilize your household budget. If wage withholding is already in place but is not working, additional remedies may be appropriate.
Another tool available is the interception of state or federal tax refunds. When arrears accumulate, the Child Support Administration may intercept tax refunds and apply the funds toward past-due support. This method can be helpful in cases where arrears have grown over time. Our lawyers will help you understand whether you qualify for this option.
State law also permits the suspension of certain licenses when support remains unpaid. These can include driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses. While this step is significant, it can be an effective way to motivate compliance when other methods have not worked.
If administrative enforcement options are not successful, court intervention may be necessary. The court can require the nonpaying parent to appear and explain the reason for noncompliance. Our child support and maintenance lawyers in Frederick will prepare the necessary enforcement filings and represent you in court.
In some situations, the court may find the nonpaying parent in contempt. A contempt finding can result in additional penalties, including fines, payment plans, or even jail time if the court determines that the parent is willfully refusing to pay. While incarceration is not the goal, the possibility of it can encourage compliance.
The court also has the power to enter judgments for unpaid support. A judgment can allow you to pursue wage garnishment, property liens, or other collection methods. These steps could help you recover overdue payments while continuing to enforce ongoing obligations.
Medical support is another area that may require enforcement. If the existing order requires one parent to maintain health insurance or pay a portion of the child’s medical expenses, enforcement proceedings can also address failure to meet these responsibilities.
If unpaid support is affecting your family’s financial stability, our Frederick child support enforcement lawyers will help you pursue appropriate remedies and protect your child’s needs. Contact us today to discuss your next steps and learn how we could support you throughout the enforcement process.
FREE CASE EVALUATION