Tag Archive for: child support modification

Wisconsin man ordered to reveal unpaid child support

Last month, we reported that a judge had ordered a Wisconsin man not to have any more children until he demonstrates that he can financially support the nine children he already has. Now, another Wisconsin man has received a similar order, but in this latest case, the judge has gone one step further. The man also must reveal within three minutes of meeting a woman that he is a convicted felon with overdue child support obligations.

The unusual order came after the 28-year-old father pleaded guilty to the felony charge of failure to pay child support in 2011 for over 120 days. During sentencing, a Washburn County Circuit Court judge told him that he cannot have any more children until he is paid up on his delinquent support. This has been done before, following a previous case authorizing judges to issue such orders. The obligation to notify potential mates of one’s criminal past is novel, at least to this man.

These cases illustrate the risks of falling behind in child support payments. The more one falls behind, the more difficult it becomes to get caught up. A failure to pay can lead to child support enforcement proceedings and criminal charges. That is why it is important to seek help.

In Wisconsin, and in other states, the financial obligation of a non-custodial parent is often based on a percentage of the parent’s income applying a statutory child support formula. If there is a substantial change in circumstances, it may be possible to modify the original child support order. If you have fallen behind in your monthly payments, it can help to seek advice from a knowledgeable child support attorney who can review your financial circumstances and seek child support modification if appropriate.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Wisconsin man in child support case ordered not to have more children,” The Associated Press, Jan. 17, 2013

Another Wisconsin man barred from having children

Wisconsin judges have a variety of means at their disposal for child support enforcement. They may order garnishment of a delinquent parent’s wages or income tax refunds, place liens on property or deny occupational and sporting licenses or even order jail time. Increasingly, Wisconsin judges have been resorting to an enforcement measure many view as extreme – they are ordering delinquent parents to refrain from having more children.

A Racine County judge made national headlines in December when he ordered that a man could not have any more children until he showed he could support them. In that case, the man owed around $90,000 in delinquent payments for nine existing children. Then, as we reported in a prior blog post in January, a Washburn County judge imposed similar conditions on another man who had been convicted of failure to pay child support. Now, a Sawyer County judge has adopted the same approach.

In the most recent case, a Hayward man who owes approximately $5,000 in back support for his three children was convicted on two felony counts of failure to pay support. In sentencing him to two years’ probation, the judge ordered that he refrain from procreating until he pays up. In an additional twist similar to the other case, the judge also ordered that the man disclose within three minutes after meeting any woman that he is a felon and owes back child support.

These cases demonstrate the serious consequences of falling behind on child support payments. If non-custodial parents find they cannot make court-ordered monthly payments, it is important for them to seek help. An experienced child support attorney can review a parent’s financial situation to determine if a child support modification would be appropriate.

Source: Duluth News Tribune, “State view: No-procreation order is just one solution to enforce child support,” Bruce Vielmetti, Jan. 23, 2013