Important Considerations for Child Support Payments
How long could you get away with not paying child support before the mother can file for contempt of court against you?
Hi, I’m Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings. I practice here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I focus on fathers’ rights, and this is my 25th year.
Timeline for Filing Contempt of Court
So, how long can you get away with it? Is there a set time—one month, two months, three months—before contempt can be filed? A lot of people think there is, but there isn’t.
It’s more of a practical rule of thumb. If you’re just one month behind, it usually isn’t worth the effort for the mother to hire an attorney and file for contempt, especially if you might catch up quickly. But two or three months behind—that’s when it becomes urgent. She may be running out of money or savings, and at that point, filing makes sense.
Consequences of Delaying Child Support Payments
Now, if you’re intentionally testing how long you can go, keep this in mind: if she prevails on the contempt action, you’ll also have to pay her attorney’s fees. That ends up costing you more in the long run.
The best thing to do is to communicate. If you’re having trouble making payments, reach out and give her a timeline for when you can catch up. If she agrees to wait—say, until next month or the month after—make sure you get it in writing. While this won’t erase what you owe, it could be a defense to contempt, because contempt requires proof that you willfully violated the order.
Get Legal Advice Today
If you have questions about child support or any other family law matter, give Tulsa child support attorney Clint Hastings a call at 918-962-0900—we’ll be glad to help.
