Orlando Child Support Enforcement Lawyer
Ensuring Your Child Receives the Financial Support They Deserve
The Donna Hung Law Group practices family law in Orlando to help parents navigate some of the most difficult and emotionally charged issues affecting their children’s well-being. One of the most critical responsibilities parents share is providing financial support. When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, it places undue hardship on the other parent and, most importantly, the child. Whether you need help enforcing a child support order or you are facing enforcement action, our attorneys are here to protect your rights and advocate for a fair and effective resolution.
Clients of the Donna Hung Law Group receive clear guidance, practical advice, and consistent communication throughout the enforcement process. Our Orlando child support enforcement lawyers take a solution-focused approach to help you secure compliance with existing orders or respond strategically if you are accused of non-payment.
Understanding Child Support Enforcement in Florida
Child support in Florida is a legal obligation that ensures children receive the financial resources they need for housing, food, education, health care, and daily living expenses. When a parent fails to meet this obligation, the other parent can pursue enforcement through the court.
The state provides several powerful tools to enforce child support orders, but the process can be complex and stressful. Our attorneys help parents navigate these procedures while protecting their rights and ensuring the child’s best interests remain the top priority.
Common Reasons Child Support Goes Unpaid
Parents may fall behind on child support for many reasons, including:
- Job loss or reduced income
- Illness or disability
- Financial mismanagement
- Lack of understanding of the court order
- Intentional refusal to pay
- Disputes related to custody or parenting time
Failure to pay child support is taken seriously regardless of the cause. Our firm helps address both legitimate hardships and situations involving willful non-payment.
Tools Florida Courts Use to Enforce Child Support
Florida law gives courts numerous options to enforce child support orders and secure payments. These tools may include:
- Wage garnishment
- Suspension of driver’s licenses
- Seizure of tax refunds
- Liens on property or bank accounts
- Contempt of court proceedings
- Interception of unemployment benefits
- Passport suspension or denial
- Reporting to credit bureaus
- Seizure of lottery winnings
Our attorneys help clients determine which enforcement measures are appropriate and guide them through the process.
Contempt of Court for Failure to Pay Child Support
A parent who knowingly fails to pay court-ordered child support may be held in civil contempt. Penalties for contempt can include:
- Fines
- Mandatory payment plans
- Attorney’s fees
- Jail time (in severe cases)
Before imposing penalties, courts allow the non-paying parent to explain their situation. Our firm represents both sides to ensure the court receives accurate, fair information.
When You Need to Enforce a Child Support Order
If the other parent is behind on child support, it is important to act promptly. Our attorneys help you enforce the order by:
- Filing a Motion for Contempt or Enforcement
- Requesting wage garnishment or income deduction
- Tracking arrears and calculating past-due amounts
- Ensuring proper application of interest on unpaid support
- Coordinating with state enforcement agencies
- Seeking attorney’s fees when appropriate
We take a thorough and strategic approach to securing compliance.
When You Are Facing Child Support Enforcement
If you have been served with an enforcement action, it is critical not to ignore it. Our attorneys assist parents by:
- Explaining your rights and potential consequences
- Reviewing your financial situation
- Ensuring the amount claimed as past-due is accurate
- Negotiating payment plans or modifications when appropriate
- Representing you at contempt hearings
- Presenting evidence of any inability to pay
Facing enforcement without representation can lead to harsh penalties. We help protect your rights and resolve the matter fairly.
Child Support and Modification
Sometimes parents fall behind on support because their financial circumstances have changed. If payments are no longer affordable, you may qualify for a modification. Reasons for modification may include:
- Job loss
- Significant reduction in income
- Disability or illness
- Change in parenting time
- Changes in childcare or health insurance costs
- Large increase in the other parent’s income
Even if modification is appropriate, unpaid support (arrears) must still be addressed. We help clients pursue modification while also managing past-due obligations.
What to Do If You Need Enforcement
If the other parent has stopped paying support:
- Keep detailed records of payments received
- Document all communication with the other parent
- Gather your court orders and financial documents
- Avoid informal agreements that are not court approved
- Contact an attorney before taking action
A formal enforcement motion is often necessary to secure compliance and protect your rights.
What to Do If You Are Behind on Payments
If you owe past-due support:
- Do not wait for legal action to escalate
- Communicate with an attorney as soon as possible
- Gather your financial documents
- Request modification if appropriate
- Maintain documentation of any payments made
- Avoid off-book payments that cannot be proven
Our firm helps you address arrears in a structured, legally sound manner.
The Child Support Enforcement Process in Florida
The enforcement process typically involves several steps:
Filing a Motion for Contempt or Enforcement
The parent seeking enforcement files a motion describing the unpaid support and requesting court action.
Service and Response
The other parent is served and has an opportunity to respond.
Hearing
The court holds a hearing to evaluate:
- Payment history
- Financial ability
- Circumstances surrounding non-payment
Court Orders
The judge may order:
- Immediate payment
- Payment plans
- Wage garnishment
- Penalties or sanctions
Our attorneys prepare clients thoroughly for every stage of the process.
Comprehensive Orlando Family Law Practice
The Donna Hung Law Group handles a wide range of family law matters, including child support enforcement. Our attorneys also assist clients with:
- Child support establishment
- Child support modification
- Parenting plans and time-sharing
- Custody disputes
- Divorce and high-conflict family cases
- Paternity matters
- Domestic violence injunctions
- Contempt and enforcement actions
- Mediation and settlement agreements
We are committed to protecting your rights and ensuring your child receives the care and support they need.
Orlando Family Courthouse Information
Child support enforcement cases in Orlando are heard within the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
Orange County Courthouse
425 N. Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 836-2000
Website: www.ninthcircuit.org
These hearings may involve detailed financial review and sworn testimony.
Orlando Child Support Enforcement FAQs
What happens if a parent refuses to pay child support?
The court can use tools such as wage garnishment, license suspension, and contempt charges to enforce payment.
Can the court order jail time for unpaid child support?
Yes, in severe cases. However, the court must determine the parent has the ability to pay before ordering incarceration.
Can child support arrears be forgiven?
Arrears generally cannot be forgiven, but payment plans or settlements may be possible.
What if I cannot afford my current child support order?
You may qualify for modification, but you must file a motion—arrears will still be owed.
Does child support enforcement affect custody or visitation?
Failure to pay support does not eliminate visitation rights, but behavior may influence future custody decisions.
Serving Throughout Orlando
- Baldwin Park
- College Park
- Lake Nona
- Winter Park
- Thornton Park
- Dr. Phillips
- MetroWest
- Hunters Creek
- Avalon Park
- Windermere
- Celebration
- Waterford Lakes
- Mills 50 District
- Audubon Park
- Conway
- South Eola
- Bay Hill
- Lake Como
- Lake Mary
- Vista Lakes
Orlando Child Support Enforcement Lawyers Here for You When You Need Us
At the Donna Hung Law Group, our attorneys understand how important consistent child support is to a child’s stability and well-being. Whether you are seeking enforcement or defending against an enforcement action, we offer strategic guidance and strong legal support to help you achieve a fair and effective resolution.
Call the Donna Hung Law Group at 407-999-0099 to schedule a confidential consultation and take the next step toward securing the financial stability your child deserves.
