Keep an Indisputable Record of Maintenance and Child Support Payments

In the event that you become responsible for paying child support and/or spousal maintenance, it is essential that you keep a detailed record of each payment made. If ordered to pay child support, it is likely to be for a period of several years. The duration of a spousal support order varies depending on the parties’ situation.

Why It’s Important to Keep a Record

Often times, a court orders your payments made payable to the Family Support Registry (FSR). The FSR then distributes the payment to the obligor. The FSR keeps track of the date and amount of your payment. However, it is not always clear as to whether your payment was for child support or spousal maintenance. Missing just a few payments can cause you severe frustration several years down the line.

For instance, assume you and your spouse or significant other have a child together. Further, assume that soon after your child is born, your relationship becomes tumultuous, and the two of you decide to separate. Depending on several factors used to calculate child support, it’s likely that one party will be required to pay the other a child support payment each month.  You could pay twice per month depending on the amount.  To put this into perspective, if you pay child support for 19 years, that is 228 monthly payments or 456 bi-monthly payments.

The sheer number of payments is one reason why it is imperative that both the obligor and obligee keep a record of each payment made, including, but not limited to:

• Date of payment,
• Copy of the form of payment, such as a check, wire transfer, or money order,
• Address if mailed,
• Date cashed, if traceable, and
• Whether that specific payment was for child support or spousal maintenance.

Keeping track of what the payment was for is essential, due to the high-interest rate imposed for missed child support and spousal maintenance payments. Child support interest is higher, 12% currently, compounded monthly. C.R.S. § 14-14-106 (2008). Interest applied to unpaid spousal maintenance is 8%, compounded annually. C.R.S. § 5-12-101 (2008).

Consequences of Missed Support Payments

Not only is it important to meet your obligations if you are the obligor, but just imagine the conundrum you may face should the obligee seek to recover any alleged missed payments if you do not have sufficient records to prove the payments were made. Under Colorado law, if any court-ordered installment of child support or maintenance is due and unpaid, it automatically becomes a final money judgment. C.R.S. § 14-10-122(1)(c) 2008. Consequently, the applicable statute of limitations is 20 years from the entry of such a judgment. C.R.S. § 13-52-102(2)(a) (2008). Should you fail to make payments, you may be faced with an action whereby you need to produce payment records from the last two decades.

In California, a parent who is able to pay but chooses not to can be held in contempt of court. This is a serious violation and may result in jail time. A poor credit score and property liens may result from not paying child support.

Similarly, in Texas, an individual who is ordered to pay child support and fails to do so can be jailed for up to six months or fined up to $500 for each instance of nonpayment, and the other parent’s attorney fees and court costs can be assessed.

Due to the various durations of time in which the child support and/or spousal payments may be required, if you have not maintained a record of your payments, it may be difficult to defend yourself. Never rely on your bank or financial institution to safeguard these records for you, as the method of payment used ten years ago may now be obsolete due to constantly changing technology.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Regardless of whether you are responsible for paying child support, maintenance, or both, missing just a few payments may cost you more than you bargained for, including the time required to trace your payment history. The needless expense associated with re-creating your payment history is entirely avoidable, so be sure you maintain an accurate, detailed record of each payment made.

Modern Family Law

Modern Family Law’s team of experienced family law attorneys takes a compassionate approach to the practice of family law. Using innovative technology to create an effective and efficient process for our clientele, our attorneys approach each case as a collective effort to find the best long-term solutions for each family. Our attorneys currently practice in Colorado, California, and Texas. Click the following link to view all of our family law locations. For more information please give us a call or fill out a short form online to sign up for a free consultation today! Let us make a positive difference in your life.