Search Site
Menu
534 Delaware Ave, Suite 433 | Buffalo, New York 14202
Call for a consultation. Video consultations also available. 716-886-9600

The Teeth in Child Support

Prosecutors called Robert Sand the government’s most wanted deadbeat parent until he finally pleaded guilty in February to failing to pay child support. Sand, who stopped paying child support in 2002 and eventually fled the country, owed $1.2 million in child support to his children from two previous marriages.

Some might argue that Sand’s case shows that it is possible to avoid paying child support obligations for extended periods of time. However, most people are unwilling to live on the run as an international fugitive for over a decade just to avoid paying child support. For the overwhelming majority of parents who are owed child support, the law affords numerous options to go after the non-paying parent’s assets, which we have discussed in a previous post.

The law also provides various avenues to force dead-beat parents to pay.

If a parent fails to pay child support for four months, or fail to respond to a summons, subpoena or warrant related to the child support, the court, in some instances, may:

  • Order the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend that parent’s drivers license
  • Order the appropriate agencies to suspend the offending parent’s professional license
  • Order the appropriate agencies to suspend any recreational license that the recalcitrant parent holds in the state

If these efforts prove insufficient, the parent with custody of the children can ask the court to hold the non-paying parent in contempt of court, which can lead to additional fines or even jail time.

Though there will always be a few Robert Sands in the world who live their lives on the lam to avoid supporting their children, New York has the means to enforce child support payments.

If you are not receiving child support payments, or are having difficulty making child support payments, get legal representation to protect your rights in this serious matter. Contact a NY divorce lawyer at our office for a consultation with an experienced divorce attorney to see how we can help.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Randy  S.  Margulis Attorney Photo
Randy S. Margulis
Member

As a Buffalo divorce lawyer for 28 years, I have devoted myself to solving the problems that affect families throughout the Buffalo metropolitan area and Western New York. As a family law attorney, I make it my goal to create a partnership of trust with my clients. People put their trust in me to handle cases that can potentially have a long-lasting impact on not only their lives, but the lives of their family as well.

Alexandra M. Rockwood Attorney Photo
Alexandra M. Rockwood
Senior Associate

Alexandra M. Rockwood is a Senior Associate Attorney with the Law Offices of Randy S. Margulis & Associates and has been with the firm since early 2020. She primarily practices in the areas of matrimonial and family law, including divorce, child custody, and child support. Alexandra is a practicing matrimonial and family law attorney as…

Reviews & Ratings
  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Divorce is always an unpleasant event and my case was no exception, yet the guidance, professionalism and ethical strategy that Randy Margulis provided was essential in finding the best solutions for my children, my ex-wife and myself. As the proces...

    Read more

    Client

  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Divorce is always an unpleasant event and my case was no exception, yet the guidance, professionalism and ethical strategy that Randy Margulis provided was essential in finding the best solutions for my children, my ex-wife and myself. As the proces...

    Read more

    Client

  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Randy Margulis is knowledgable of Domestic Law, dedicated, responsive, personable, aggressive and effective. I came to him on a friend's recommendation as well as Randy's reputation, and during the initial consultation I liked his approach and track ...

    Read more

    Client

  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Found Mr. Margulis to be a very organized and professional individual to work with. He is well-respected by his peers and is spoken of highly, I believe this helped with my divorce and made things go smoothly. I would highly recommend his services ...

    Read more

    Client

  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Randy is very firm and effective in court while empathetic to his clients. I am a domestic violence victim, and Randy made me feel safe and protected. My financial award was more than I envisioned it to be when I started my divorce. I can't thank ...

    Read more

    Client

See all reviews
AWARDS
BUFFALO / WESTERN NY
  • Niagara
  • Tonawanda
  • Amherst
  • Cheektowaga
  • Hamburg
  • Lancaster
  • Orchard Park
  • West Seneca
  • Akron
  • Batavia
  • Clarence
  • Kenmore
  • Lockport
Contact us

Quick Contact Form