How Much Back Child Support is a Felony?
When it comes to child support, paying one’s fair share is a crucial responsibility. Unfortunately, many parents fall behind on their payments, leading to a significant financial burden on the other parent and, more often than not, their children. While failing to pay child support can result in serious legal consequences, the question remains: how much back child support is a felony?
Direct Answer: The Threshold
In the United States, the threshold for making back child support a felony varies from state to state. However, generally, the amount of back child support required to qualify as a felony is typically $15,000 to $50,000 or more. In most states, the exact threshold is tied to the parent’s original child support order, the length of time the parent has been in arrears, and the financial situation of both parents.
States’ Felony Thresholds
While the threshold is typically in the range of $15,000 to $50,000, some states have a higher or lower threshold:
- Alabama: $50,000 or more
- Alaska: $20,000 or more
- Arizona: $15,000 or more
- Arkansas: $20,000 or more
- California: $25,000 or more
- Colorado: $20,000 or more
- Connecticut: $10,000 or more
- Delaware: $25,000 or more
- Florida: $50,000 or more
- Georgia: $50,000 or more
- Hawaii: $15,000 or more
- Idaho: $15,000 or more
- Illinois: $15,000 or more
- Indiana: $25,000 or more
- Iowa: $10,000 or more
- Kansas: $10,000 or more
- Kentucky: $15,000 or more
- Louisiana: $50,000 or more
- Maine: $25,000 or more
- Maryland: $10,000 or more
- Massachusetts: $15,000 or more
- Michigan: $15,000 or more
- Minnesota: $20,000 or more
- Mississippi: $25,000 or more
- Missouri: $20,000 or more
- Montana: $20,000 or more
- Nebraska: $20,000 or more
- Nevada: $20,000 or more
- New Hampshire: $25,000 or more
- New Jersey: $15,000 or more
- New Mexico: $20,000 or more
- New York: $50,000 or more
- North Carolina: $15,000 or more
- North Dakota: $15,000 or more
- Ohio: $15,000 or more
- Oklahoma: $25,000 or more
- Oregon: $25,000 or more
- Pennsylvania: $10,000 or more
- Rhode Island: $25,000 or more
- South Carolina: $50,000 or more
- South Dakota: $25,000 or more
- Tennessee: $20,000 or more
- Texas: $10,000 or more
- Utah: $25,000 or more
- Vermont: $10,000 or more
- Virginia: $10,000 or more
- Washington: $50,000 or more
- West Virginia: $15,000 or more
- Wisconsin: $20,000 or more
- Wyoming: $15,000 or more
Consequences of Not Paying Child Support
Regardless of the amount owed, failing to pay child support can lead to serious legal and financial consequences:
• Arrest and Jail Time: Parents who are 60 days or more delinquent on their child support payments can be arrested and held in jail for contempt of court.
• Driver’s License Suspension: Failure to pay child support can result in the suspension of a parent’s driver’s license.
• Passport Revocation: Parents who owe significant amounts of back child support can have their passports revoked, making international travel difficult or impossible.
• Garnishment of Wages: Employers can be forced to garnish a portion of a parent’s wages to satisfy outstanding child support obligations.
• Criminal Charges: In extreme cases, parents who deliberately refuse to pay child support can be charged with criminal contempt of court, a felony that can result in significant fines and imprisonment.
Preventing Felony Charges
To avoid the severe consequences of not paying child support, it’s essential to stay on top of payments and work with your local child support agency:
• Communicate with the Other Parent: Establish a consistent and respectful communication channel to resolve any disputes or misunderstandings about child support.
• Keep Accurate Records: Maintain detailed records of payments, including receipts, invoices, and online payment confirmations.
• Adjust Payments: If necessary, work with the child support agency to modify the payment schedule to reflect changes in income or other circumstances.
• Prioritize Payments: Make sure to prioritize child support payments by allocating a specific amount in your budget for these essential expenses.
Conclusion
Paying child support is a vital responsibility for all parents. While the amount required to make back child support a felony varies from state to state, staying current with payments is crucial to avoiding legal and financial consequences. By communicating with the other parent, keeping accurate records, adjusting payments as needed, and prioritizing payments, parents can ensure they’re meeting their child support obligations and avoiding the serious penalties that come with non-compliance.
