Illinois parents would probably agree that making sure the needs of their children are met is a top priority. While child support payments may seem like a simple thing, there is room for error. A simple mix-up can have lasting consequences for a parent, as one father recently learned the hard way.
Many people choose to use an online portal to make paying child support a simple, private task. A parent need only log into the account and make a payment, and the system will take care of the rest. Unfortunately, if a parent is making payments on behalf of multiple children from separate families, it can leave room for human error.
A man running for the office of governor of Illinois submitted his child support payment online, using a third-party system. Much to his dismay, he was notified that he was in arrears and was facing jail time for nonpayment. After some digging, he discovered that his payment had been sent to his first ex-wife, rather than his second, the mother of the child for whom the payment was intended.
If a parent is concerned that he or she may be facing a child support issue, it’s important to be aware that missed or incorrect payments can result in being charged with contempt of court. When a parent needs help establishing, changing or enforcing a child support order, an experienced family law attorney can help. An attorney can advise parents concerning the myriad of issues that may arise when dealing with child support payments, including penalties for errors of nonpayment.
