Why Can I Withhold Visitation for Unpaid Child Support?
Why Can’t I Withhold Visitation for Unpaid Child Support?In desperation, many parents wonder why they can’t just withhold visitation in response to unpaid child support. In sheer frustration, they ask, “Wouldn’t it finally force my ex to pay up?”Answer: Child support and visitation are viewed as two completely separate issues in the eyes of the law. Parents don’t “earn” the right to a relationship with their child by paying child support. It seems like that would be logical, but it just doesn’t work that way. Before you go so far as to withhold visitation for unpaid child support, consider the following: Visitation is Your Child’s Right Ultimately, it is each child’s right to be able to know and enjoy a relationship with both parents. If a non-custodial parent can’t afford to pay child support (for example, due to a job loss), then the child shouldn’t have to “pay” by being prevented from having a relationship with him or her. Financial
