Child Support Enforcement Tampa
Tampa Child Support Enforcement Attorney — Every Tool, Every Remedy
Child support enforcement in Florida gives the court and state agencies real tools to collect unpaid support — including wage garnishment, license suspension, passport denial, and incarceration. When a parent stops paying court-ordered child support, there is no reason to wait. Mindi Lasley, P.A. handles child support enforcement throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County, pursuing every available remedy to recover what your child is owed and deter future non-payment.
Mindi has represented parents who had been owed months of back support while the non-paying parent continued to work and live normally. The law provides powerful tools — and knowing how to use them efficiently makes the difference between money sitting on paper as arrears and money actually being collected.
Florida’s Child Support Enforcement Tools
| Enforcement Tool | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Income withholding order | Employer withholds child support directly from paycheck and sends it to the state disbursement unit |
| Contempt of court | Court finds non-paying parent in contempt — can result in fines or jail until purge amount is paid |
| License suspension | Florida can suspend driver’s license, professional license, and recreational licenses for non-payment |
| Passport denial | Federal law blocks passport issuance or renewal when child support arrears exceed $2,500 |
| Tax refund intercept | Federal and state tax refunds are intercepted and applied to overdue support |
| Credit reporting | Unpaid child support is reported to credit bureaus — affects credit score and borrowing ability |
| Asset seizure | Bank accounts and other assets can be levied to satisfy child support arrears |
| Lien on property | A child support lien can be placed on Florida real property |
The Contempt Route — When Enforcement Needs to Move Fast
When a parent is deliberately refusing to pay child support they have the ability to pay, a motion for contempt in Hillsborough County family court is the most direct enforcement tool. The court can:
- Issue an order requiring the non-paying parent to appear and explain their non-compliance
- Find the parent in civil contempt and impose incarceration until a purge amount is paid
- Award attorney’s fees and costs against the non-complying parent
- Establish a payment plan for accumulated arrears alongside the ongoing obligation
The key distinction is willful non-payment. A parent who genuinely cannot pay due to documented job loss or disability is treated differently than one who has the means but refuses.
Florida Department of Revenue — Free Enforcement Services
The Florida Department of Revenue offers free child support enforcement services to custodial parents — income withholding, license suspensions, tax refund intercepts, and other administrative actions. For straightforward cases, DOR enforcement may be enough. For contested cases, contempt proceedings, or cases involving self-employed parents with complex finances, private representation through Mindi Lasley, P.A. provides more targeted and aggressive results.
Collecting Child Support Arrears
Child support arrears do not disappear in Florida — they accumulate indefinitely with interest. Mindi Lasley, P.A. pursues arrears through:
- Contempt proceedings with retroactive purge amounts
- Bank account levies and asset seizure
- Real property liens satisfied when the property is sold or refinanced
- Judgment recording that affects the non-paying parent’s credit and financial standing
Related Practice Areas
- Tampa Child Support Attorney
- Modification Lawyer Tampa
- Post-Judgment Relief Tampa
- Child Custody Lawyer Tampa
- Paternity Lawyer Tampa
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What if the non-paying parent is self-employed? | Self-employment does not exempt a parent from child support. We pursue bank account levies, business record subpoenas, and income imputation to establish and collect the true obligation. |
| Can child support be collected from Social Security or disability benefits? | Yes — income withholding applies to Social Security, disability benefits, and unemployment compensation. |
| What if the parent moves out of state? | The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) allows Florida to enforce child support against out-of-state parents. Registration in the other state’s court system may be required. |
| How long can I wait to enforce child support arrears? | Florida child support arrears have no statute of limitations — they can be collected indefinitely. But act sooner while the non-paying parent has locatable assets. |
| What if my ex is working under the table? | Document your evidence and bring it to your attorney. We use financial discovery to establish actual income and seek imputation for cash-based or unreported earnings. |
| Can I withhold parenting time if child support isn’t paid? | No. Child support and parenting time are separate legal obligations. Withholding parenting time creates its own contempt exposure. |
Local Resources for Child Support Enforcement in Hillsborough County
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Florida Department of Revenue — Child Support | Free state enforcement services for unpaid child support |
| Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court | Hillsborough County family court — contempt and enforcement proceedings |
| Hillsborough County Clerk of Court | File enforcement motions and access case records |
| Office of Child Support Services | Federal child support enforcement — passport denial and tax intercept programs |
Your Child’s Support Is Not Optional — Enforce It
Unpaid child support is not a civil disagreement — it is a court order violation with real consequences. Mindi Lasley, P.A. pursues child support enforcement throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County with every tool the law provides. Call (813) 873-9047 or reach us at our contact page to start the enforcement process today.
About Mindi Lasley, P.A.
Mindi Lasley, P.A. is a Tampa family law firm handling child support enforcement, arrears collection, and contempt proceedings throughout Hillsborough County. The firm pursues non-paying parents aggressively and ensures every available enforcement tool is used to protect each client’s child. Located at 1005 N Marion St, Tampa, FL 33602.