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Non-custodial parents should track support payments

On Behalf of | Aug 1, 2019 | Child Custody |

In situations where people are co-parenting children in Arizona, the non-custodial parent is likely to be granted generous visitation rights. The non-custodial parent should pay attention to the details of the visitation schedule and follow it closely. He or she should also keep up with and track child support payments and keep the best interests of the child as the main priority.

Visitation schedules are taken very seriously by Arizona courts. If circumstances arise in which the non-custodial parent cannot adhere to the schedule, he or she should begin by communicating with the custodial parent to see if something can be worked out. In situations where a parent has supervised visitation, it’s a good idea to create a routine that the kids can rely on during visits. Because supervised visits are often limited in terms of time, a routine can be helpful to maximize interaction and bonding.

For non-custodial parents who are subject to child support orders, failure to pay can bring serious consequences. If the parents have a good relationship with one another, they may be able to work out informal means of paying child support, such as buying clothing or food directly or paying for childcare. It’s important to track child support payments, including keeping copies of paystubs or checks. Family courts make child custody and child support decisions based on the best interests of the child, and parents should keep those in mind and work together to make co-parenting as easy on the child as possible.

In cases where a parent is trying to secure child custody or collect child support, an attorney might be able to help. An attorney with experience practicing family law might be able to bring an action to garnish the wages or seize the funds of a parent who owes back support. An attorney might also be able to pursue modification of a support order if the payor parent has experienced a change in circumstances.