On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Child Support on Friday, November 23, 2012.
Deadbeat dads and moms are increasing in Cook County, as county sheriffs are serving more arrest warrants. Neglecting child support payments in Chicago isn’t the only reason for these warrants, as when parents don’t show up for required DNA samples or “forgetting” to notify authorities of compensation increases.
During the first week of November, 2012 alone child support arrest warrants were issued in Oak Forest, Homewood-Flossmoor, and two in Chicago Heights. These warrants represent over $180,000 in unpaid child support payments. Particularly sad, November is Child Support Awareness Month in Cook County.
While it’s fairly easy, albeit wrong, to understand the many reasons that emotionally-distraught ex-spouses might attempt to circumvent court-mandated alimony payments, it remains disturbing that biological parents would neglect payments directed at supporting their children.
Although the most skeptical and devoid of character of parents could feel that their older teenage children can find ways to support themselves, the undeniable fact that children are never consulted before their birth whether or not they choose to be born to their specific parents remains. How a parent could intentionally inflict punishment on innocent children remains a mystery to experts, law enforcement and the public at large.
Child support delinquency will remain a mystery to caring, concerned people of character. Should shortfalls occur because of job loss or extraordinary circumstances, a modification may be possible. However, the parental responsibility to support their children cannot be eliminated.
Divorce is traumatic when young children are involved. No amount of family wealth or pre-nuptial agreement strength can avoid this trauma. However, children are innocent participants and need child support from both custodial and non-custodial parents.
How do you feel about parents refusing to pay child support? Is there a better way to enforce court-ordered child payments than issuing arrest warrants?
Source: Oak Forest Patch, “Wanted for Child Support Delinquency, Nov. 8,” Lauren Traut, Nov. 8, 2012