Child Support Question (Please Help)?

Question

If my husband is behind on his child support payments in one state, can they take his license if he lives in another state? The child he pays support on lives in Florida, and we live in Tennessee, he has a Tennessee driver license. So can Florida suspend his Tennessee driver license?

Answer 1

It can be taken from him if they deem it necessary.  It also depends on how far behind he really is and if they are taking the money out of tax returns and paychecks then it might be likely that it may not happen if he is able to reach an agreement to get caught up.  But Florida would not get his lisence....his state would take it from him.  My friend is going through this mess with her ex husband....he is behind by his own choice not because it is somehow out of his control.  NOT all people are bad about things sometimes things get overwhelming in life.  But her ex does live out of state and they have to go through the child support enforcement place in that state and this one to get the whole issue solved.

Answer 2

yes, plus he cannot even apply for a passport.

Answer 3

Not only can they do that, but they can and will drain every bank account with his name on it, Take your tax refunds and any money the government owes you.

Happened to me and my husband. Didn't care that what they took was our rent money and well ALL the money we had to live off of. It was my earnings not my husbands, since the only reason he was behind on support was because he was out of a job.

Answer 4

There is a federal office of child support enforcement.  I looked on the Mass. DOR CSE website and this document references the federal enforcement agency.

Answer 5

If they are already taking money out of his paychecks, then they will not suspend his license. You have to be making no payment whatsoever for them to do that. If they are garnishing his check, that counts.

My son's dad used to live here in Florida (originally from kentucky). He was behind on his child support to his ex wife in kentucky, but they did not suspend his license because he had a florida drivers license. They skipped that step and went straight to issuing a warrant for him.

He has since moved back to Kentucky, but still had his Florida driver's license.. and the state of florida has now suspended his license for not paying child support to me.

Answer 6

It will eventually happen.  Yes.

Answer 7

yep..best get caught up now... you wont like what happens after they suspend the licence. just ask my ex....collection agencys, reposession of property owned etc.... not fun...

Answer 8

The state of Florida can get together with child Support Enforcement in Tennessee and Have his License revoked. I live in Florida and my daughters father lives in another state and is behind severely.  His drivers license, hunting and fishing licenses have all been revoked.  Child support enforcement works with the agencies in other states to ensure that the child support is paid.

Answer 9

Being in arrears for child support isn't a state line thing, no.  Florida won't suspend his Tennessee driver license, Tennessee will.  Kind of like extradition favors.  They can also suspend his hunting and fishing license and garnish any wages...the works.

Which may not sound awesome to you...but as a single mother that's just trying to raise my child, I could not possibly BE more grateful for that law.  Deadbeat dads are doing enough damage to their children's self-esteem by not coming to see them and making them wonder if it's their fault...at the minimum they should be forced to support them!  Thankfully Megan's daddy isn't like that...he's an honorable man that's never missed a payment and sees her on a regular basis!!  

I think instead of worrying about if he can be punished you and he should be worrying about how you can get a check to that mother to help take care of his child.

Sorry...I'm just keeping it real.  There's no excuse for it.

EDIT:

Just saw your update: If they take your tax returns and paychecks and bank money...then how is he behind?

Answer 10

They can do it yes but the likelihood is slim to none that they will if they are already doing all that you say they are. My daughters father is almost 5000 in arrearage and pays only when he feels its convenient! He is also a driver and they have never taken his license from him! He has almost been thrown in jail and they still leave him his license. If the license is required for his work they will do just about everything else first before it gets to that!

But if he is not paying and they have done all else - then yes they can and they will take his license!!!

Answer 11

Yes, this is called "long-arm jurisdiction". It's quite complicated. You can read up on it at the site below.

Answer 12

Yep, definitely, they sure can.  But here in VA, they will only suspend a license if NO payments are made in a 90 day period.  Meaning my son's deadbeat father can make a $5 payment every 89 days and no suspensions will take place.  Stupid.