How to Collect Child Support When Your Ex Works Under the Table
By: Gordon & Perlut, LLC
When parents are divorced or otherwise no longer in a relationship, they still have a legal duty to financially support their children. Unfortunately, as experienced child support lawyers in Skokie and Chicago, we know some parents refuse to pay. To avoid meeting their obligations, they may opt to work under the table. Find out how we can help you collect child support in this situation.
Imputing A Child Support Amount When Your Ex Shows No Income
Under the Illinois child support Statutes, parents are obligated to provide financially for their children. Child support is automatically determined in divorce proceedings or may be initiated as a separate legal action in cases involving unmarried parents – once paternity has been proven.
There are general guidelines the court will follow in determining child support amounts and who is required to pay. Factors the court considers generally include each parent’s income and assets as well as the child’s overall needs. This situation becomes more complex when one of the parents is working under the table. While they may not show any income, the court can impute an amount, based on several factors in the situation:
Based on the above information, the court will determine a set amount of child support. This is the amount owed, regardless of whether they are currently working under the table. If they fail to pay this amount, they can be subject to enforcement actions.
How Can I Enforce Child Support Payments?
When seeking child support payments from a parent who is working under the table, it is important to get our experienced child support lawyers in Skokie and Chicago on your side. We can take legal action to prove they are working and have income, such as subpoenaing their employer or tax records and gathering other incriminating evidence against them. Once an amount is imputed and a child support order is in place, we can help ensure it is enforced.
Failure to pay child support results in serious penalties. The Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services (IHFS) publicly discloses the names and other information about ‘deadbeat parents’ who owe more than $5,000 in past child support payments. Other actions they face include:
Our Child Support Lawyers in Skokie and Chicago Act As A Strong Legal Advocate On Your Side
At Gordon & Perlut, LLC., we know how important child support is in providing for your child. You can count on our child support lawyers in Skokie and Chicago to act as strong legal advocates on your side, taking the actions needed to ensure the amounts ordered are paid. To request a consultation, call or contact our office today.