Do I have to pay for my child if I don't see them?
Asked by: Bailee Windler | Last update: June 30, 2025Score: 5/5 (5 votes)
In Florida, if you cannot see your children or if they are living with the other parent full time, you may be able to stop paying child support. But you cannot decide to do this on your own. Child support is ordered by the court, and the court has to be the one to make changes to what you pay.
Do I have to pay for a child I don't see?
Not seeing your child does not exempt you from paying child maintenance. Your responsibility to pay child maintenance is based on your financial ability and the child's needs, not whether you see or spend time with your child. This means you have to pay child maintenance even if you have no contact with your child.
Do I have to pay child support if I don't see my kid?
The short answer is yes, once a child support order is issued, you have to pay child support to the custodial parent, even if you never see the child. If you don't pay, you will face fines, wage garnishment, loss of your driver's license and/or incarceration.
Do I have to pay for a child I didn't want?
You cannot opt out of or vary your obligation to pay child support unless it is by agreement with the other parent, however you may be able to apply to change a child support assessment in certain circumstances.
What happens if you don't visit your child?
The court may side with you if you can show that you had good reasons to deny visitation. Otherwise, the court may change the custody order to give the noncustodial parent more time; it could also penalize you with fines or even jail time.
Daily Tip: Do I Have to Pay Child Support if I Don’t Get to See My Child?- Brad Micklin
Can a mother withhold a child from the father?
A mother can only keep a child away from their father in California if there is legitimate concern about the child's safety because of the father's behavior. Withholding visitation because of reasons deemed unrelated to a child's well-being can come with problems for the parent withholding visitation.
Can I refuse to give my child back?
In most cases, a parent who refuses to return their child may violate a court-ordered visitation agreement or custody order. To enforce the terms of the agreement, the other parent can seek legal assistance to pressure the other parent, potentially filing a motion for contempt or violation of the court order.
What happens if I don't put the father's name on the birth certificate?
When a father is not listed on a birth certificate, it brings both legal and social implications. The absence of the father's name can significantly affect the child's rights, including inheritance, access to family medical history, and social security benefits, as well as the child's emotional well-being.
Do I have to pay child support if my ex refuses to work?
When a parent is found to be voluntarily unemployed or underemployed by a court in California—and this affects the amount of child support paid by the other parent—income may be “imputed” to the non-working or under-working parent.
Do fathers have any rights during pregnancy?
Fathers of unborn children have limited rights. To have any decision-making authority for an unborn child, you must first establish paternity. Before birth, this can only be done through the Department of Child Support Services. Only then you will have rights as the father of the unborn child.
Does child support automatically give the father rights?
The fact that the father is paying or is not paying child support doesn't automatically change any legal rights the father might have to the child.
What happens if my ex doesn't let me see my child?
Your attorney can help you file a motion to enforce visitation, requiring your ex-spouse to comply with the court order. If your ex-spouse continues to deny visitation, they can be held in contempt of court, resulting in fines, community service, or even jail time.
Do I have to pay child support if I give up my rights in NY?
The parent no longer has to pay child support. The parent is removed from the child's birth certificate.
Can a child say they don't want to see a parent?
Children's wishes are considered in court decisions but do not solely determine the outcome. There isn't a specific age in UK law at which a child can refuse contact with a parent. Courts balance the child's preferences with their welfare.
Do I have to pay child maintenance if it's 50/50 custody in the UK?
In the UK, child maintenance payments may still be required even if both parents are sharing responsibility for their children equally.
Do I have to let my child's father see her?
The answer is usually no; a parent cannot stop a child from seeing the other parent unless a court order states otherwise.
Can I sue my ex for unpaid child support?
The laws on suing for back child support differ from state to state. Some states have a statute of limitations on enforcing a court order. In California, a parent or child has 10 years to launch a lawsuit. 10 years past the child's 19th birthday, if the child was in high school past their 18th.
How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?
Using a standard calculation, an individual earning $1,000 a week might pay around $250 per month for one child, though this figure can vary significantly based on specific circumstances and local county guidelines.
Can a mother lose custody for not having a job?
Many mothers choose to stay at home with their children. Some may ask if not having a job will cause them to lose custody of their children. Generally, the answer is no.
Can you give a baby the father's last name without his consent?
Usually, both the father and the child's mother will have to agree to the name change. If there's a dispute or disagreement over this aspect of a child's life, you will have to go to court. If negotiations between the parents fall apart, court proceedings are common. A name change will then require a court order.
What rights does a father have if he is on the birth certificate in Texas?
In the state of Texas, even if the father signed the birth certificate of the child, if they are unmarried, they possess no parental rights. This means that an unmarried father has no inherent right or access to their children.
Can you file for child support if your father is not on your birth certificate?
Before anyone pays support, paternity must be established. Regardless of whether or not he is on the birth certificate, paternity is only established in California by signing a voluntary declaration of paternity or by entry of a Paternity Judgment (if the parties aren't married at time of conception).
What happens if my child doesn't want to see her father?
Whenever your child is not cooperating with a scheduled visitation or switch in parenting time, immediately contact the other parent and explain what's going on. If your custody order or parenting plan has included methods of communication, use that method (which might include contacting the parent's attorney).
What is it called when a parent keeps a child from the other parent?
Parental alienation is a strategy whereby one parent intentionally displays to the child unjustified negativity aimed at the other parent. The purpose of this strategy is to damage the child's relationship with the other parent and to turn the child's emotions against that other parent.
What if my ex refuses to return my child?
If your spouse does not return your child within a reasonable time frame and you have exhausted other options, consider filing a police report. This step can help establish a formal record of the situation and involve law enforcement in the resolution process.