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  5. What if I can’t afford child support?

What if I can’t afford child support?

On Behalf of Ed Shaw Law | Jul 10, 2019 | Family Law |

Divorce is expensive. You pay court fees, lawyer fees, and after the dust settles, your restructured finances can leave you struggling to keep your head above water. If you and your former spouse have children together, you may also be responsible for child support.

Undoubtedly you want best for your children and want to provide them everything they need. But sometimes financial realities make it impossible for you to keep up with your court-assigned child support payments. The media portrays those who don’t support their children as stereotypical “deadbeats,” but often the reality is much more complicated.

Minnesota child-support basics

In short, child support is money paid to raise a child. This includes support for the child’s basic needs as well as medical needs and child care. Child support usually continues until the child is 18 – or until he or she is 20 if still in high school.

If the child lives primarily with one parent, it is the other parent’s obligation to pay child support. If the parents share equal or near-equal custody, the parent who earns more money must pay child support to the other parent.

The amount of child support owed is based on a sliding scale that considers both parents combined monthly net income and the number of children who need support. The support guidelines are updated periodically to reflect economic trends.

Penalties for not paying

The state takes failure to pay child support very seriously because it’s detrimental to the wellbeing of a child or children. Failure to pay the court-ordered amount of child support can include the following punishments:

· Driver’s license suspension, including an occupational license

· A hold preventing the parent from obtaining or renewing a passport

· A levy or seizure of financial assets

· Holds on student grants

· A derogatory mark on one’s credit score

· Accumulation of interest on past-due child support

· Garnishment of wages or unemployment checks

· Criminal prosecution

Getting help

If you’re unable to make your scheduled child support payments, the first thing you should do is contact your county’s child support office. A child-support case worker can help you find solutions that work for you.

Court-ordered child support arrangements can be modified after some life events. Reasons for modification include either parent receiving a substantial increase or decrease in income, unemployment, if a parent or child is granted public assistance, if a child has large unexpected medical expenses, if there is a change in health-care coverage status, or if the child becomes emancipated.

What is the difference between legal and physical custody?

On Behalf of Ed Shaw Law | Apr 23, 2025 | Family Law

If you're going through a custody issue in Minnesota, it's important to understand the difference between legal and physical custody. These terms may sound similar, but they each play a different role in your child's life. Understanding legal custody Legal custody...

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JAIL PHONES

by Edward Shaw | Apr 4, 2025 | Criminal Defense

Many of you have seen movies involving phone calls from a jail or prison, maybe some of you have gotten calls from a jail or prison.  If you have, you may be familiar with the message that often plays 'This call is from a correctional institution and may be...

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EXPERT WITNESSES

On Behalf of Ed Shaw Law | Mar 27, 2025 | Firm News

Most people outside of the legal system have never heard of expert witnesses, a critical part of the legal system.  Unlike regular witnesses, who can testify about what they observed or heard, experts can offer opinions.  Experts are used to explain a variety of...

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Contracts for Deed

by Edward Shaw | Mar 12, 2025 | Business Law

They are an alternative method of financing the purchase and sale of property.  Instead of the buyer getting a bank loan, payments are made to the seller.  The arrangement has its advantages, by taking payments over time a seller can in some cases save on taxes. ...

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WHEN DO YOUR RIGHTS HAVE TO BE READ TO YOU

by Edward Shaw | Jan 31, 2025 | General Law

I have written on this topic before, but, because it is a source of a lot of misunderstanding among the general public, it needs more attention. Police shows for decades have shown people being arrested and read the Miranda warning, 'their rights', you have the right...

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When can you sue someone for something they say?

by Edward Shaw | Jan 24, 2025 | Civil Law, General Law

Free speech is a cornerstone of our society, for good reasons.  A democracy depends on people being able to express their opinions about anybody, and anything.  Even the richest and most powerful in society can be criticized by any citizen in a free society. Like all...

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MONEY AND DIVORCE

On Behalf of Ed Shaw Law | Jan 13, 2025 | Firm News

When divorces are tough there are usually issues with money.  The rules on dividing assets, money, real estate, vehicles, anything of value, are simple, it is generally divided equally, regardless of who earned it, or whose name is on it.  The exception is...

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Tips for co-parents to keep the holiday season peaceful and joyous

On Behalf of Ed Shaw Law | Dec 6, 2024 | Custody

Co-parenting presents challenges throughout the year, but the holiday season can amplify these difficulties, even for those who maintain a cordial relationship with their former spouse. From Thanksgiving through the end of the year, the added stress of coordinating...

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Home For The Holidays

by Edward Shaw | Nov 27, 2024 | Firm News

It happens every year in the family court business, separated parents fighting over where the kids will be for the holidays.  The holiday season has its challenges to begin with, the stress or organizing get togethers, figuring out where people will be, traveling with...

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THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE GRIND SLOWLY

by Edward Shaw | Nov 1, 2024 | General Law

I watch very little TV, but the shows that I have seen about the legal system vary in how accurate they are, some are almost completely fantasy, others were clearly put together by people who have worked in the legal system and are pretty accurate. Almost all of the...

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  • What is the difference between legal and physical custody?
  • JAIL PHONES
  • EXPERT WITNESSES
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  • WHEN DO YOUR RIGHTS HAVE TO BE READ TO YOU

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