Parents in Arizona who are paying child support may have those payments terminated in the future. However, a paying parent is generally required to meet their support obligations until an order is modified or rescinded. For example, a child may become emancipated prior to his or her 18th birthday. Courts will consider the child’s age and maturity level when deciding whether or not to grant such a request.
If the request for emancipation is granted, support payments may come to an end. Of course, there is no guarantee that this will happen. This is because the child could still need financial assistance in the future. If parents are struggling to make payments, a court will likely consider a child support modification order. The likelihood of this happening is higher if a parent loses a job or acquires an unexpected medical expense.
Parents who are not allowed to see their children must still continue to make support payments. This is because the courts generally see the two issues as separate. Failing to make payments could result in significant penalties such as jail time or the loss of a license. However, problems related to child custody or visitation can usually be brought to a judge’s attention and resolved in court.
Anyone who has questions about their child support situation may find answers by talking to an attorney. Legal counsel could help a client obtain a child support modification or take other steps to resolve late or missed payments. In some cases, this may mean obtaining more time to pay or other leniencies from a judge. It could also be possible to get assistance resolving child custody or visitation issues by talking to an attorney.