Things To Do If Your Ex is Not Paying Child Support

Life after divorce is challenging. It is even harder when you have children. Many parents end up working more hours (or getting a second job) just to support their families.

Child support is necessary. Instead of thinking that it is just to give your ex money, the truth is that your money will go toward the care of the children. That being said, even if you have been awarded child support, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will get it.

If your ex is not paying you what you were told that you deserve, you don't have to just sit there and find ways to make more money. Here are some things that you can do if your ex is not paying you child support.

Make sure that your agreement is in writing.

It is important to make sure that you go through mediation or the court system and come up with an agreement. At that time, it should be placed in writing so you (and your ex) know exactly who gets what money (and when).

Don’t shut your ex out.

Many parents use their children when they aren't getting child support. They may keep their children away from their ex, in order to get the money.

However, this can work against you. Parents need to stay involved in their children’s lives, or they may feel like they don’t owe you anything since you are the only parent in their life.

If your ex can’t afford to pay all that is owed, you should at least get a part of it.

A little bit of help is better than nothing, especially if you are both struggling to pay your bills. Even if you can only get two or three hundred dollars, instead of the one thousand that you were rewarded, that will still help you feed your children.

Get it taken out of his or her paycheck.

If your ex isn't faithful about paying, you may want to see if you can get the money out of his or her paycheck. If you set it up automatically, you don't need to worry about whether you are going to get paid that week.

Try to avoid going to court.

That being said, there are times and places when going to court is necessary. However, there are times when you can try to work it out with your ex, without spending all of that money on lawyers. If it has been a few months, you might need to go through the courts. Otherwise, try to solve everything between the two of you.

It can be really hard to make ends meet after your divorce. This is especially true when you had two incomes. You have to remember that your ex may be struggling too.

For that reason, you may want to find ways to talk to each other and see if you can find some sort of payment plan, without going to court (and spend even more money that you don't have).

Make sure that you have an "official" agreement that is put in writing. That being said, there may be times when you may have to accept a portion of the money, instead of all that you are owed. Try to remember that a little is better than none. Try to talk about a solution instead of taking it to the court system.

Even if you aren't getting a dime, you can't keep your children from your ex. They need to spend quality time with both of their parents. You can't hold it against your ex. It will only hurt your children.