Many Minnesota parents depend on child support payments from a former spouse or partner. In some cases, however, a custodial parent may opt to stop these payments. There are several reasons a parent may choose to turn down financial support, but they are usually due to a change in circumstances for one or both parties.
It is more common to hear about disputes in which one parent refuses to pay support to the other. However, many custodial parents fully understand that it is not practical for a noncustodial parent to make a court-ordered payment in the face of financial challenges. A parent’s income is a factor in determining payment amounts. However, if the noncustodial parent loses their job or takes a pay cut, it may not be practical for him or her to continue making payments.
Sometimes, the change takes place in the home of the custodial parent. The custodial parent may remarry, receive an inheritance or receive a salary increase that enables him or her to contribute more to the children’s upbringing. In such cases, the custodial parent may ask the court to discontinue the court order requiring child support.
It is important that both parents understand the ramifications of stopping child support payments. If the custodial parent’s finances suddenly decline, he or she may have to go back to court to ask for a new child support agreement. The parent who is making the payments, on the other hand, will want to be careful about making payments until receiving a court order that ends that obligation.
Individuals who are interested in changing their child support arrangements may benefit from speaking with an experienced family law attorney. The lawyer may be able to review the client’s case and make recommendations regarding support orders, visitation rights and other issues affecting divorced and separated parents.