What To Do If Child Support Isn’t Paid

If you’re not receiving the child support you’re owed, our Alameda County, CA child support lawyer can help you take clear, practical steps to enforce the order. At Attorney Bernie, we’ve helped families across northern California address unpaid child support with careful legal strategy and compassionate guidance. With a strong reputation built on honesty and results and a 24-hour response time, our firm is trusted to get things moving in the right direction. If you’re looking for guidance with handling unpaid support, here’s how you can respond.

Review The Child Support Order

Start by reviewing the existing court order. Make sure the terms are current, enforceable, and still reflect your child’s needs and the paying parent’s situation. If anything has changed—such as income levels, job status, or custody arrangements—it may be time to modify the order, especially if the other parent is claiming they can’t pay.

As your child maintenance lawyers, we can help you determine if an update to the order is necessary or if enforcement is the better option.

Keep Detailed Records

It’s important to keep track of every missed or partial payment. Maintain a log that includes payment dates, amounts received (if any), and any communication about the support. These records become valuable evidence if enforcement becomes necessary.

As your Alameda County child support attorneys, we rely on these facts to show the court the full extent of the issue. The clearer your documentation, the stronger your case will be.

Use Legal Enforcement Tools

California divorce law provides several tools to enforce unpaid child support, including wage garnishment, driver’s license suspension, tax refund interception, liens on property, and contempt of court actions. Each method has different consequences and timing. Our team will walk you through these options and help you choose the most effective path.

Don’t Rely On Verbal Promises

Sometimes the paying parent may offer to send funds later or make informal arrangements. While these offers might seem reasonable in the moment, they are not enforceable unless approved by the court. If they don’t follow through, you may lose valuable time and leverage. Our child payment lawyers can help you stay on track with enforceable actions.

Consider Contempt Of Court Proceedings

If a parent willfully refuses to pay despite having the ability, they could face contempt charges. These are serious legal actions that can result in fines or even jail time. While not every case requires this step, it can be effective in getting long-overdue payments back on track.

Our child legal advocates will guide you through these decisions carefully. We balance firm legal pressure with thoughtful counsel, always putting the child’s well-being first.

Call Us For Help With Unpaid Support

If you’re tired of waiting for child support that never arrives, now is the time to contact our Alameda County child support lawyers. At Attorney Bernie, we’ve helped thousands of parents in California resolve these problems with real solutions and dependable service. Our experienced attorneys can help you enforce your child’s right to financial support while keeping the process focused and respectful. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and get the support you deserve.