Who Really Pays When Child Support Payments Are Missed

For many parents (mothers and fathers), paying child support is a fact of life.

They understand that they were responsible for contributing 50% of a child’s DNA, so they must also provide the basics of life for their offspring, even if they’re not married to the child’s mother or father. Sadly, there are some parents who don’t pay child support. The effects can be devastating for children. Read on to learn the importance of paying child support.

An Open Letter to a Deadbeat Dad

Blogger Josie Denise is a divorced mother of three. She writes about day-to-day life in her blog, including being a single parent.

In February 2016, Josie wrote a blog post about fathers who don’t pay child support. The post is in the form of a letter to a deadbeat dad (although she doesn’t come out and say it, it’s most likely directed to her ex-husband).

Josie railed against the men who believe their children aren’t entitled to financial support simply because they don’t live with their fathers any longer. She talked about how valuable that financial support is to single mothers.

Why Pay Child Support?

Josie Denise isn’t the only blogger or writer who has criticized fathers who don’t pay child support.

Carolyn Edgar, a lawyer who is also a single mother, published a 2011 post on her blog about one of her pet peeves: men who complain about paying child support.

She notes that many men who express resentment about having to pay child support labour under the misapprehension that their money is going to subsidize their ex-wife’s lifestyle. Edgar disputes this assumption. She points out that in the vast majority of cases, child support payments go towards taking care of the children from that relationship.

Edgar urged men who think they’re paying more than their fair share to go to court to ask that child support payments be lowered. She cited the example of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, the recording impresario who went to court and requested a reduction in child support payments.

The Case for Child Support

There’s actually evidence that shows that paying child support is good for children.

In 1996, researcher Virginia Knox conducted a study of single-mother families who received child support. She learned that the children who received child support payments from their fathers had better outcomes than those who didn’t. They performed better academically, which paid off later in life.

The mothers in the study were able to provide a better quality of life for their children thanks to those child support payments. Of course, you don’t need a study to show that. When you pay child support, you’ll be able to see the effects for yourself. Your children will have adequate food, a roof over their heads, and the supplies they need to succeed in school.

Paying child support is an investment both in your child’s present and his or her future. They’ll appreciate your contribution now as well as when they’re older.

Turn to a Trusted Legal Expert for Help with Child Support Issues

Do you have questions about child support? Maybe you’re not sure if you’re paying too much, or maybe your ex-spouse isn’t paying the court-ordered amount. An experienced divorce lawyer can give you the answers you need so your children can have the quality of life they deserve.

Fine & Associates Professional Corporation is a well-respected Toronto Law Firm that prides itself on providing quality personal service and favourable outcomes in Family Law and Divorce Law.

You can click here to contact us, or fill out the form on the right free private phone consultation. Or call us at the phone number at the top of the page.