Divorce is tough, especially when you are the non-custodial parent of minor children who must pay court-ordered child support.
Your financial obligation does not end in those months when money is tight, so the state of New York has several options for you to make your payments.
Acceptable payment options
When a judge determines how much you need to pay each month, you should make it a priority to stay current on your payments. You may need to revise your monthly budget to make sure you are always able to cover your child support. Options for paying child support in New York include:
- Online: bank transfer, credit or debit card
- In person: cash (plus $3.99 MoneyGram fee), credit or debit card
- By mail: personal check, certified check or money order
While third-party credit card processing companies often charge exorbitant fees, it is not always possible to make payments directly from your paycheck. Life happens and cars break down, so there may be times when your unexpected costs consume your disposable income. In this case, using your credit card prevents you from missing a child support payment altogether.
Consequences of missing a payment
Depending on how much you owe and how far behind you are, you could face serious penalties for missing payments, including but not limited to:
- Incarceration
- Suspension of driver’s license
- Bank account or property seizure
If you can no longer afford payments due to a pay cut or other circumstances, you may petition the court to modify your child support order.
Your commitment to your children is essential, and you should do everything you can to meet your obligation without taking on too much debt in the process.
