The short answer is no. If you are court-ordered to pay child support, you cannot stop making your payments without permission from the court. Child support is not payment to see your child, it is to financially support your child. If you stop paying, you can be found in contempt of court and could go to jail. If our ex is violating your court-approved parenting plan by denying you visitation, your have the right take legal action to enforce the custody agreement, but not to take matters into your own hands and simply stop making your child support payments. The reverse is also true. Your ex cannot deny you visitation for failing to make your payments. Visitation is for the child’s benefit. If your ex is violating your custody agreement, talk to an experienced child custody attorney right away.

Consequences if You Stop Paying Child Support

If you stop paying child support, the consequences can include:
Suspension of your driver’s license

Suspension of professional license

Wage garnishment

Seizure of property

Going to jail for being in contempt of court

If Your Child Lives with You

If you are paying child support because your child is supposed to spend most of their time with the other parent, but the child is actually living with you most of the time, you may feel like you would be well within your rights to stop paying or pay less. Again, you cannot simply choose to do so. You can petition the court for modification of the child support order.

If you need help enforcing your custody agreement, please search this directory for an experienced child custody attorney in your area.