Massachusetts judges get tough on deadbeat parents

Massachusetts courts have recently decided to take a hardline approach to enforcing child support awards.

2013-03-22

March 22, 2013 (Press-News.org) Massachusetts judges get tough on deadbeat parents

Article provided by Grindle Robinson Goodhue & Frolin LLP
Visit us at http://www.grindlerobinson.com

Getting a child support award is certainly not the end for single parents who need assistance from former spouses to care for their children. Long after a child support award is obtained in court, single parents may find themselves fighting to actually enforce the award, while those who are unable to pay -- as well as those deadbeat parents that refuse to pay -- fail to make good on the award. The result impacts both the single parent and the child, both of whom often need financial support.

Failure to make child support payments

Massachusetts courts have recently decided to take a hardline approach to enforcing child support awards.

In one particular case, a deadbeat father avoided child support payments for years and now owes a total of $481,000 in child support. He has several former wives who worked with authorities to enforce their child support awards against him. While the man's lawyer says that he only makes $350 per week as a bartender, there is evidence that he may own several bars in other states. This of course raises issues of fact-finding to determine whether the man does in fact own these assets, as well as legal issues relating to the attachment of property in other states to enforce child support awards in Massachusetts.

Broader aspects of child support enforcement

Child support enforcement can occur in a number of ways, but it will often require either the garnishment of wages or the attachment of assets of the parent responsible for the child support payments. In some cases, a deadbeat parent may even be jailed for failing to make child support payments if a judge finds that he or she is in contempt of court.

Assets found either inside or outside the state of Massachusetts may be able to serve as a basis for satisfying outstanding child support obligations. If it is determined that a parent has property in another state, actions will have to be filed in those states and writs of execution obtained in order to enforce a foreign child support award.

If property cannot be attached, any ex-spouses and children may have to suffice with garnished wages. In cases in which the parent who has to pay does not make much money, ex-spouses and children can be left with very little support.

How a family law attorney can help

If you are having trouble enforcing a child support order, contact an experienced family law attorney who can help you collect the payments you deserve. A family law attorney can help with custody, parenting schedules, mediation, child support and alimony issues during a divorce or a custody dispute.

If you are struggling to make child support payments, but are unable to do so, it is also a good idea to contact a family law attorney. If your circumstances have changed significantly since the time of a child support award, such as due to a job loss, you may be able to seek a child support modification so that you can avoid the consequences of non-payment.

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

FDA proposes codes for medical devices to more efficiently catch defects

2013-03-22

FDA proposes codes for medical devices to more efficiently catch defects Article provided by The Cifarelli Law Firm, LLP Visit us at http://www.cifarellilaw.com/ The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is responsible for regulating manufactures of medical devices sold in the United States. The FDA has a broad list of requirements that medical devices must meet prior to being sold within the U.S., including: -Registration with the FDA -Providing the FDA with a list of all devices sold within the U.S. -In some cases, authorization from the FDA In an ...

How to make co-parenting work after divorce

2013-03-22

How to make co-parenting work after divorce Article provided by Jonathan D. Katz, Attorney at Law Visit us at http://www.jonathankatzlaw.com/ Although emotions may cloud people's judgment when they go through a divorce, they must put all of that aside when making decisions for their children. And because it is imperative for children to spend time with both parents -- which can make them feel more secure as they deal with the transition of seeing their mother and father apart -- ex-spouses should always think of the best interests of their children when co-parenting, ...

Michigan drunk driving laws: All about ignition interlocks

2013-03-22

Michigan drunk driving laws: All about ignition interlocks Article provided by Willis Law Visit us at http://www.yourcriminaldefenselawfirm.com In Michigan, there are hefty consequences for those convicted of drunk driving. In addition to fees and jail time, offenders are often presented with driving limitations, which are intended to help serve as deterrent for future criminal actions. An ignition interlock device (IID) is an alcohol breath-evaluating instrument, which is installed in a car and prevents it from starting if a driver's blood-alcohol concentration ...

U.S. immigration policy leaves many immigrants at risk for deportation

2013-03-22

U.S. immigration policy leaves many immigrants at risk for deportation Article provided by Thomas E. Moseley Visit us at http://www.criminalimmigrationdefense.com The U.S. deportation policy is of interest to many immigrants concerned about the threat of deportation. There are several ways in which legal and undocumented immigrants may face deportation from the United States. If a non-citizen is convicted of certain charges, he or she is automatically deported from the United States. This includes proven charges of misdemeanors and felonies. It does not matter ...

Pennsylvania State Police replace breathalyzers with blood tests

2013-03-22

Pennsylvania State Police replace breathalyzers with blood tests Article provided by Shaffer & Engle Law Offices, LLC Visit us at http://www.pennfamilylawyers.com Pennsylvania residents may recall hearing about a recent ruling by a Dauphin County judge, where a DUI charge was thrown out because of concerns about the reliability and accuracy of breathalyzers during DUI stops. As a result of the ruling, the Pennsylvania State Police are temporarily substituting blood tests for breathalyzers when stopping drivers on suspicion of a DUI. Blood tests could mean ...

New York mortgage foreclosures: Are we out of the woods yet?

2013-03-22

New York mortgage foreclosures: Are we out of the woods yet? Article provided by The Law Offices of Allison B. Crain & Associates Visit us at http://www.crainlaw.com The United States Secretary for Housing and Urban Development is optimistic about the economy and attributes the improvement to a rebound with the nation's housing market. He cites a deal made with five of the largest mortgage companies in the nation as the reason for the economic recovery. About a year ago, the federal government, 49 state attorney generals and the mortgage companies reached ...

Tips to hasten credit repair after filing for bankruptcy relief

2013-03-22

Tips to hasten credit repair after filing for bankruptcy relief Article provided by Costello & Costello, P.C. Visit us at http://www.costellolaw.com According to the Federal Judiciary, over one million Americans filed for bankruptcy relief in 2012 alone. Bankruptcy petitions were designed by Congress to offer petitioners who qualify for protection with the ability to discharge debts and begin on a fresh financially. Those who seek protections from creditors through bankruptcy relief can also rest assured knowing their credit scores will recover. Although ...

The feds are cracking down on NY organized crime families

2013-03-22

The feds are cracking down on NY organized crime families Article provided by Hanlon, Dunn & Robertson Visit us at http://www.hdsuperlawyers.com Organized crime groups are alive and well in several New York and New Jersey counties, using extortion and violence to keep raking in the profits in the waste-management industry. In January 2013, federal prosecutors sought to cut into the profits of the Genovese, Gambino and Lucchese crime families by indicting several of their members and associates on a litany of criminal charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office in ...

Service members calling for change to divorce pension division rules

2013-03-22

Service members calling for change to divorce pension division rules Article provided by The Law Office of Keith B. Schulefand, Esq. Visit us at http://www.schulefandlawoffice.com In all marriage dissolutions, the divorcing couple is required to divide their marital assets and debts in an equitable fashion. This process is called "property division," and, depending on the length of the marriage and the types of property at issue, it can often be very complicated. In some cases, one spouse may also be required to pay alimony (also called "spousal maintenance" ...

Rebuilding credit post-bankruptcy

2013-03-22

Rebuilding credit post-bankruptcy Article provided by Roger A. Kraft, Attorney at Law, P.C. Visit us at http://www.rogerkraftlaw.com/ The recent decline in the housing market coupled with the recession and sluggish economic recovery has increased bankruptcy filings in the United States. In 2010, 1.53 million personal bankruptcies were filed and a 2011 survey revealed that approximately 13 percent of the nation's population has considered filing bankruptcy. If you are one of the many that are considering filing for bankruptcy, it is important to understand a bankruptcy's ...

NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research

Massachusetts judges get tough on deadbeat parents

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: