Child custody disputes and uncertainty about relevant laws can lead to strong emotions, whether you are a custodial parent or a non-custodial parent. It is pivotal to do everything in your power to protect your relationship with your kid and serve their best interests.
If you have questions about child custody matters, make sure you find a swift and accurate answer. For example, if you owe back child support or the other parent is not paying you child support that a court ordered, you should look into how this could affect custody rights.
Can back child support affect custody?
The North Carolina Judicial Branch states that custody rights are not dependent on child support payments. Therefore, a custodial parent cannot deny the non-custodial parent their custody rights solely because they have not paid child support that they owe.
However, failing to pay child support could lead to negative outcomes with respect to custody rights. For example, if the court finds that a parent refuses to pay child support, this could shape their view of the parent’s ability to serve the child’s best interests and this could impact a custody decision.
How should parents address unpaid child support?
If your child’s other parent refuses to pay what they owe, take a look at child support enforcement. On the other hand, if you have fallen behind, go over strategies to get caught up. From setting up a payment plan to modifying your child support order, you can address child support challenges in different ways.
When working through child custody issues, try to stay positive, stand firm for your rights and do all you can to support your child’s best interests.
