Divorce is a serious matter, and it can impact your life for years. If you have been ordered to pay child support as part of your divorce, you wonder about the consequences of not paying. Understanding the consequences of not paying your child support can help you determine what steps you should take now.

This is what you need to know about divorce, child support, and more.

What Could You Be Ordered to Pay?

If you are concerned that you might be ordered to pay child support, you may be concerned that the amount you are ordered to pay could be incredibly high. You are not alone in having this fear. The amount of money you are ordered to pay each month could be based on things like the child's age, your child's standard of living, your assets, and the child's care needs.

How Long Do You Have to Pay Child Support?

After your divorce, you have to pay child support for a set of time determined by the court. The courts may decide that your payments end at the child's 18th birthday, high school graduation, or if your child becomes legally emancipated. Your obligation could be reduced if you have multiple children or your income changes.

Can You Avoid Paying Child Support?

There are consequences to not paying child support. While you will be given the chance to make up for one or two missing payments in many cases, you could face jail if this becomes a consistent issue. You could also lose your driver's license and be unable to collect tax returns, for instance. This is why understanding your obligation and getting representation during your divorce proceedings is so important.

If your circumstances change such that you can no longer pay child support, it is important to consult with a divorce lawyer who understands the impact of child support on your financial strain. You may be able to change your obligation with a lawyer's help so that you can avoid serious consequences.

Your Divorce Attorney Can Help

Are you concerned about child support payments in your future? If you are worried about having high payments that you can't meet, then your divorce attorney can help you determine the steps you should take next to move forward so that you can avoid serious consequences for not paying support. Set up a consultation to learn more about divorce or child support.