On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Child Support on Monday, June 24, 2013.
In an effort to encourage Illinois parents to pay their child support, the state has indicted three parents under the Non-Support Punishment Act. If convicted, the three Winnebago County individuals could each face up to three years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines and restitution on the felony charges. The nonpaying parents owe between $5,595 and $28,169 in overdue child support.
All three parents were arrested and will face a judge to answer to the nonsupport charges on July 1. At a press conference to announce the indictments, a poster of the three nonpaying parents hung behind the Winnebago County state’s attorney, who announced that these charges were filed to punish parents who don’t pay their child support as well as to deter others from ignoring their obligations to their children.
Child support provides money to custodial parents so they can adequately care for their children. When parents refuse to make those payments, the children may have to do without things that they want or need. The state of Illinois is serious about child support enforcement, and the state attorney general has declared that he is committed to identifying and prosecuting parents who don’t comply with court orders.
Illinois parents with child support orders may be arrested on felony charges if they choose not to make their scheduled payments. Those who are having trouble affording their payments may be able to get their order modified with the help of an attorney who is experienced in family law cases. Parents who are proactive in making their payments and requesting modifications through an attorney can avoid jail time and other unpleasant consequences such as having their photo on a publicly displayed poster.
Source: Rockford Register Star, “Parents who owe child support are warned to pay up or else“, RRStar Staff, June 20, 2013