Child Support Fraud: Can It Send You To Prison?

Published August 3, 2023

As a parent, you are legally and morally obliged to provide for your kids financially. But if you don’t live up to your obligation, intentionally or by accident, you could be charged with child support fraud.

Though state laws vary, child support fraud is a severe offense. In most states, it’s punishable with prison time, back payments of any child support due, and hefty fines.

In this post, we’ll talk about what happens if you are convicted of child support fraud and what you can do about it. But first, you need to understand how child support fraud happens.

When is Child Support Fraud Committed?

The divorce process usually involves a custody battle. During this, the judge will decide who gets custody of the children. And the parent who didn’t get custody will be ordered to pay for child support. The amount of which will be based on that parent’s income.

Child support fraud happens when:

• The custodial parent deliberately or accidentally hides or under-declares their income to get more child support money
• the non-custodial parent hides or under-declares their income to reduce their child support payments or avoid it altogether
• the custodial parent did not use the child support money for the purpose by which it was originally intended

There are many ways to commit child support fraud, and the law doesn’t care whether it’s intentional or accidental. It can happen to either parent too.

One example is when you work in jobs that only pay cash, your income is untraceable. The court can rule it as a fraud whether you’re doing it on purpose since there’s no paper trail. So there’s a good chance your declared income is much less than you make.

Moving to another state or hiding your money in another person’s bank account are also forms of child support fraud. The same is true if you fail to declare all your sources of income, like stocks, dividends, royalties, and the like.

Punishment for Child Support Fraud

Child support fraud is, in essence, perjury. As such, in most states, it’s a serious crime with severe ramifications.

In Florida, for instance, misuse of child support payments is a criminal offense. The first instance constitutes a first-degree misdemeanor, and any succeeding conviction is a third-degree felony. This means it’s punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, and 5 years of probation.

In Texas, issuing a bad check to pay for child support constitute fraud. It’s considered a Class B misdemeanor and punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of $2,000, or both.

Aside from state laws, federal laws also punish child support fraud. The Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1998 prohibits parents from crossing state lines to avoid child support payments. Doing so can earn you up to two years in prison.

As mentioned, each state has a different law concerning child support fraud. So if you want to know what punishments you could face, check your state laws.

How to Report Child Support Fraud

If you suspect that your ex-spouse is committing child support fraud, you must make your report in writing. In most states, cases like this are handled by the Office of the Attorney General. Your case is already on file if you are receiving child support through your state’s child support enforcement agency.

After making your report, a caseworker will contact you to investigate your case. If you have details or evidence that can support your support, you should share it with them. But since caseworkers handle many cases at any given time, this process can take months.

If you’re unwilling to wait that long, you can also request assistance from the court that ordered your child support. It’s not legally required, but having an attorney with you during this would greatly help.

Penalty For Hiding Income For Child Support

The penalty for hiding income for child support can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the case’s circumstances. However, individuals guilty of hiding income to avoid paying child support may face significant consequences. 

Retroactive Child Support

If it is discovered that a parent has been concealing their income for an extended period, they may be required to pay retroactive child support payments. This means they will need to make up for the amount they should have paid during the period of concealment.

Interest Charges

In addition to retroactive payments, interest charges may be imposed on the concealed income. The interest rate can vary, but it could be as high as 10%, adding further financial burden for the parent who concealed their income.

It’s worth mentioning that intentionally hiding income for child support is considered illegal in many jurisdictions. As a result, parents who engage in this behavior may also face legal consequences, such as fines or even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and local laws.

Please note that the specific penalties and consequences for hiding income for child support may vary based on the jurisdiction and individual circumstances. It is always advisable to consult with a legal professional for accurate and personalized advice in your specific situation.