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It’s very important to make sure that the amount you’re paying in child support is the proper amount. Never assume that it is, even if someone else—like your employer—is helping make the payments possible. If you don’t pay the right amount, even if it was an honest mistake, you could be arrested and even put in jail.
For example, take a case that happened in nearby Texas back in 2014. A man was having his child support taken out of his paycheck and automatically sent to his child’s mother. The whole process was just supposed to happen on its own, so he didn’t check with her to be sure it was right.
The problem was that a clerk made a mistake and sent less than the proper amount to the woman. This went on for months, and she eventually decided to start a lawsuit to get the rest of the money.
The man was shocked by this, as it was the first he was hearing of the issue. He was behind by around $3,000, and he tried to do the right thing and pay the woman. However, in the eyes of the law, he was still a criminal for skipping out on the payments when he was supposed to make them. He was arrested and given a prison sentence for six months.
A prison sentence, even a short one, can have a huge impact on your life. You could lose your job, lose your home, and much more. Always make sure you know what your are legally obligated to pay in Arizona and check to be sure it’s happening properly every month. If not, quickly look into all of your options.
Source: Houston Chronicle, “Clerical error leads father to jail for failing to pay child support,” Samantha Ehlinger, accessed Jan. 14, 2016
