December 15, 2025

What to Do If Your Ex Is Not Paying Child Support

Practice Area: Family Law | Tag: Child Support

They Promised Support. Now They’ve Disappeared.

You didn’t ask for a fight. You asked for help.
When the court issued a child support order, it wasn’t a suggestion. It was a legal responsibility. And yet, here you are: watching bills pile up, budgeting tightly, while your ex fails to follow through.

It’s unfair. It’s stressful. And worst of all, it impacts your child.

The good news? You’re not powerless. Whether payments have stopped altogether or become frustratingly inconsistent, New Jersey law provides ways to enforce support orders and hold the other parent accountable.

Why Support Enforcement Matters for You and Your Child

Child support isn’t just about money. It’s about stability. It’s about ensuring your child has access to everything they need to grow, from healthy meals and medical care to extracurricular activities and school supplies.

When one parent ignores their obligation, it places undue pressure on the other. That is why child support enforcement exists: to give parents like you a clear legal path forward.

Common Warning Signs You May Need to Take Action

Missed or late payments
Partial payments without explanation
Sudden unemployment or underemployment
Refusal to communicate about support
Attempts to manipulate or renegotiate without the court

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to explore your legal options.

What Legal Steps Can You Take?

You have more options than you think. And they don’t all require immediate court appearances. With guidance from a child support lawyer, you can begin the enforcement process through official New Jersey family court channels.

Key Legal Remedies Include:

Wage garnishment
Seizure of tax refunds
Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses
Contempt of court charges
Credit reporting consequences
Asset seizure in extreme cases

In some situations, the court may even issue a bench warrant for a non-compliant parent. These are not scare tactics. They are legal tools meant to protect your child’s well-being.

What If Your Circumstances Have Changed?

Not every case is about refusal or avoidance. If your ex has genuinely experienced a job loss or health crisis, they may qualify for a modification. But they must file it legally. Until a modification is approved, the original support order remains in effect.

A NJ family court attorney can help you determine whether a support change is appropriate or whether enforcement is still the right step. You don’t have to navigate this gray area alone.

Why Legal Support Is So Important

It’s not just about getting payments restarted. It’s about documenting the facts, keeping the court informed, and building a case that shows you are acting in your child’s best interest.

A skilled legal counsel for child support can:

Guide you through paperwork
Represent you in hearings
Handle communication with the other parent’s attorney
Protect you from intimidation or manipulation
Help you recover unpaid support

Without legal guidance, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or second-guess your rights. You don’t have to.

You Deserve Relief, and Your Child Deserves Support

Imagine what it would feel like to stop chasing payments. To know the law is working on your behalf. To focus on raising your child instead of fighting your ex.

That peace of mind isn’t out of reach. Whether your ex is months behind or just beginning to fall short, now is the time to act, not just for your finances, but for your child’s future.

Talk to a Child Support Lawyer Who Will Advocate for You

At Heymann & Fletcher, we understand the emotional toll unpaid child support can take. Our team brings decades of experience as NJ family court attorneys committed to helping parents regain control and protect what matters most.

You’re not asking for anything unreasonable. You’re asking the law to do what it’s meant to do. Let us help you enforce your rights and restore the balance your family needs.