I've Got Child Support Debt! Can Bankruptcy Help?

Child support payments can become quite a burdenlawyer can still help you with your child support debt. A
when it is put into an already tight budget. And theseChapter 13 bankruptcy can put a stop to your wage
days, you'd be lucky to find a budget that isn't tight.garnishment and help you catch up on your child
You may have to pick and choose which debts tosupport payments. While the debt can't be discharged,
pay and, while it seems that you could push off yourback child support payments can be put into a Chapter
child support payments, there is little tolerance from13 repayment plan.
government agencies for not paying it.Can you imagine how much easier it would be to
If you start to miss payments, an agency can (and will)maintain your budget without the weight of child
garnish your wages—but not at the regular rates putsupport debt and a wage garnishment? You can finally
forth by the Missouri wage garnishment laws. If yoube back in control of your payments, your budget, and
are head of household, up to one half of youryour paycheck. Remember, doing nothing changes
paycheck can be garnished. If you are not head ofnothing. You can change the situation that you are
household, up to 65% of your paycheck can bein—but only if you are willing to take action against it.
garnished. That garnishment makes it near impossibleChild support debt, especially if paired with a
to pay any of your other bills.garnishment, can render you unable to pay any other
Child support debt is not a typical debt—it isbills, sinking you farther and farther into debt. The best
considered family support and taken very seriously. Inmove to make next is to start looking at your options.
fact, if your child support is the result of a court order,Sure, you can get a free consultation from most
not paying it may be considered a violation of thatattorneys, but the best ones will be able to provide you
order. That could possibly result in your arrest forwith great information before you even sit down with
contempt.them face to face. Read up on bankruptcy FAQ,
Since child support is considered family support likeblogs, and even free publications to help you decide if
alimony or maintenance payments, it isn't able to bebankruptcy is the best way out of debt.
discharged in a Chapter 7. Fortunately, a bankruptcy