Falling behind on child support can feel overwhelming. You may be worried about your child’s needs, your financial future, and even legal consequences. At Cohen Family Law, we understand that life doesn’t always go as planned. If you’re struggling to pay support, it’s important to know that Arizona courts recognize genuine hardship. There are steps you can take to address the situation, and we’re here to help you move forward.
Common Reasons You May Struggle to Pay Child Support
Life happens, and sometimes even the best intentions can’t keep bills paid on time. You might find yourself unable to afford child support because of:
- Losing your job or facing a significant cut in hours
- Suffering an injury or disability that limits your ability to work
- Dealing with a serious medical condition
- Taking care of another family emergency
- Facing rising costs without an increase in income
Falling behind doesn’t make you a bad parent. What matters is how you respond to the situation. The sooner you take action, the more options you may have to protect yourself and your relationship with your child.
How to Seek a Modification of Child Support
If you’re facing a significant change in your life, Arizona law gives you the right to ask for a change in your child support order. This is called a modification. To qualify, the change must be substantial and ongoing. Courts typically recognize the following situations:
- You lose your job or take a lower-paying job
- You become disabled or seriously ill
- There’s a significant change in your parenting time arrangement
If any of these apply, you can file a petition with the court requesting a modification. You’ll need to provide proof of your changed circumstances. This could include:
- Recent pay stubs showing lower income
- Termination letters from your employer
- Medical records showing your disability or illness
It’s important to act quickly. Even if you plan to request a change, your original child support order remains enforceable until the court approves a modification. Keep paying what you can, even if it’s less than the full amount.
Emergency Relief Options if You Can’t Pay Right Now
If you are facing an immediate financial emergency, you may be able to request temporary relief from the court. Arizona courts sometimes allow parents to ask for short-term changes to their child support obligations while they work through unexpected hardship.
Emergency relief might be available if you:
- Were recently laid off
- Have been hospitalized for an extended period
- Experienced a natural disaster that affected your ability to work
However, it’s important to remember: only a judge can adjust your child support responsibilities. Stopping payments on your own—even during a crisis—can cause bigger problems. If you can’t afford the full amount, seek legal help right away to ask for emergency relief through the proper legal channels.
What Happens If You Simply Don’t Pay?
Failing to pay child support can have serious consequences. Arizona has several enforcement tools available to collect overdue support, including:
- Wage garnishment, where money is taken directly from your paycheck
- Suspension of your driver’s license or professional licenses
- Seizure of your tax refunds
- Property liens against your home or other assets
- Contempt of court charges, which could result in fines or even jail time in extreme cases
Ignoring the problem will only make things harder in the long run. Courts are far more willing to work with parents who are proactive about their situation. Even if you can’t afford the full amount, showing that you are trying to address the issue matters.
How We Can Help You Protect Your Rights
If you’re struggling with child support payments, you don’t have to face it alone. At Cohen Family Law, we can help you:
- Understand your rights under Arizona law
- Prepare and file a petition to modify your support order
- Request emergency relief if necessary
- Represent you at hearings and advocate for your interests
Taking action early can prevent more significant legal and financial problems down the line. We’re here to help you work toward a solution that balances your ability to pay with your ongoing responsibilities as a parent.
Take the First Step Today
Child support struggles are stressful, but you have options. If you’re having a hard time meeting your obligations, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Contact Cohen Family Law today to learn how we can help you adjust your child support and protect your future.
