What Can I Do if My Ex Stops Paying Child Support in Illinois?

 Posted on June 24, 2024 in Child support

One of the biggest concerns parents have before going through a divorce is how it will affect them financially. Even if they believe they should no longer be married to each other, they might consider settling for an unhealthy marriage for the sake of financial survival. Luckily, the legal authorities have certain measures in place that are supposed to make sure neither parent will end up suffering too much economically as a result of a divorce.

Sometimes one parent has been able to work and earn a living while the other parent has handled the majority of the household and childcare responsibilities that would have made the first parent too busy to solidify their career. If you are a parent who has not worked, you might be worried about what this means for you after divorce, but the court would likely order your ex to make regular child support payments to you. You begin to breathe a sigh of relief, but then your ex suddenly decides to stop making those payments without warning. It can be stressful and overwhelming if you plan your budget with these payments involved and they stop coming. If this happens to you, contact a qualified Batavia, IL child support attorney to understand your options.

Getting Child Support Payments Reinstated

Generally speaking, there are three main ways you can try to get your child support payments reinstated after they have suddenly stopped coming without warning. These are:

• Speak with your ex: If you and your ex have been able to maintain a degree of productive communication in your divorce, particularly as far as your children are concerned, you might consider asking him directly what happened. Maybe it was an oversight and either he thought he had made those payments or had forgotten to do so. It is also possible that his financial situation has changed and he can no longer afford to pay child support as agreed but did not know how to tell you. Regardless, open communication is a great way to get the answers you need.
• Turn to DCSS: Illinois’ Division of Child Support Services is an office within the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services dedicated to resolving child support issues in families. Their services are free of charge, and they are capable of handling complex matters. However, they are often understaffed and stretched thin, and it might take too long to get your issues resolved.
• Hire a lawyer: If waiting for DCSS is not a viable option for you, you should consider hiring a skilled attorney with knowledge of family law who can advocate aggressively on your behalf.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Kane County, IL Family Law Attorney

If your child support payments have suddenly stopped coming in, contact an experienced Batavia, IL child support lawyer to understand what option you have for getting them reinstated. At [[title], we understand how distressing it is when life does not go as planned, but we are here to help you get past those bumps along the road and we will advocate aggressively on your behalf so that you can walk away with the best outcome. Call us at 630-879-9090 to schedule a free consultation.