How can back child support affect licenses?

If you owe back child support or have concerns about your ability to keep paying on time, it is crucial to go over the different ways that this serious issue could affect you. In New York, non-custodial parents face various enforcement actions for failure to pay child support, such as losing tax refunds, passport privileges and access to financial accounts. Furthermore, you could lose your licenses, such as your driver’s license as well as recreational and professional licenses.

It is critical to understand how license suspension works if you find yourself in this position.

Losing your driver’s license due to unpaid child support

New York Child Support Services states that parents who owe over four months’ worth of unpaid child support could face driver’s license suspension. In order to avoid license suspension, parents have 45 days to pay arrears in full, set up suitable payment arrangements or successfully challenge the suspension.

In some instances, parents can secure a restricted license that allows them to drive to school or work.

Back child support can impact other licenses

Aside from your driver’s license, missing child support payments for more than four months could lead to the suspension of other licenses. For example, you could lose professional, business, occupational and recreational licenses and permits issued by the state. In order to avoid suspension of these licenses, you have 15 days to file a claim form or pay your back child support in full.

Whether you want to modify your child support order to make payments more reasonable or stop the suspension of your license, it is pivotal to have a clear understanding of your options and address back child support promptly.