Statistically, roughly 30-40 percent of first marriages in the United States end in divorce. One would think that second marriages would have better luck, but in actuality, a person’s chances of divorce are even higher the second time around, and it increases with each subsequent marriage.
Some speculate that one of the reasons why so many second marriages are on shaky ground is because some couples are dealing with blended families and exes who must remain in the picture for their children’s best interest. And the stress that comes from having to pay child support can make things worse, especially when the paying parent has issues keeping up with their payments.
Child Support Arrears & Your New Marriage
If you’re getting remarried or if you are remarried and you pay child support to your ex-spouse, it’s important you understand the ramifications of skipping payments and how they can impact you and your new marriage. Many noncustodial parents don’t realize how the local child support agency’s collection efforts can have such an impact on their new relationship. As such, we’re going to shed light on the issue so you can be in a better position to prevent negative situations from happening to you.
How can child support arrears impact my new marriage?
- If you owe child support, you may not receive your coronavirus economic stimulus check.
- If you owe child support and your taxes are filed jointly with your spouse, both of you may not receive your stimulus checks, and your spouse may need to take extra steps to receive his or her check.
- If you owe more than $2,500, you may be denied a U.S. passport.
- The funds in your joint bank account can be seized.
- If you own a home together, a lien can be placed on the property, which means you won’t be able to sell or refinance it until the lien is paid off.
- If you are expecting a tax refund, it can be intercepted.
- If you win the lottery, the funds can be taken to pay child support.
- Your driver’s license can be suspended, forcing your spouse to be your chauffer.
- If you have a professional license, it can be suspended, cutting deeply into your income and monthly budget.
- Your late payments can be reported on your credit, hurting your FICO score and causing you to have to pay higher interest rates on loans and credit cards.
There are many ways child support arrears can add undue strain on a new marriage. If you can’t afford your child support payments because you had a significant change in circumstances, such as a job loss, we encourage you to contact a Katy attorney to discuss applying for a downward modification.