Most people in Gulfport rely heavily on being able to drive in their daily lives. You likely need to drive to work or drive for work as part of your job duties, run errands and take the kids to and from school and activities. The loss of your driver’s license could mean the loss of your job resulting in further hardships. Thus, it is important not to do anything that may cost you your driving privileges, including failing to pay child support.
Child support in Mississippi
Mississippi law recognizes that both mothers and fathers have a moral responsibility to care for their child. If they are divorced, it is likely that one parent has physical custody of the child (the custodial parent) and one parent pays child support (the supportive parent.) This arrangement allows both parents to play an active role in the care of the child. Child support is paid for the support of the child, not the ex-spouse. If you or your ex remarry you will still owe child support. Likewise, the custodial parent cannot deny you your legal visitation periods even if you are behind on your child support payments. However, there are consequences for failing to pay child support.
Failure to pay child support may cost you your license
The failure to pay child support in Mississippi may cost you your driver’s license. In Mississippi, if you are 30 days or more delinquent in your child support order your driver’s license may be suspended, as may any occupational, professional, recreational or business licenses you hold. To have your license reinstated, you are given 90 days to pay what is owed or agree to a payment schedule that will allow you to come current on your arrears. Note that you will still need to make current payments in addition to delinquent payments to avoid further delinquency.
Don’t let child support arrears destroy your future
The consequences for failing to pay child support can significantly impact your personal and financial future, particularly if you lose your driver’s license due to child support delinquencies. While it is easy to say that you should simply make sure you pay child support on time and in full every month, many people have good reasons why doing so simply is not possible. If you find yourself in such a situation you will want to learn more about all your options for coming current on what you owe, and perhaps modifying how much you pay in child support to a more realistic amount.