The importance of child support cannot be overstated. These payments are crucial to ensuring the welfare of children following a separation or divorce, providing them with the resources they need for their daily living expenses, healthcare, education, and overall well-being. However, when noncustodial parents fail to meet these financial obligations, the consequences can be severe. In the state of Missouri, this can lead to criminal penalties. I, Scott A. Hamblin, offer my guidance as a child support lawyer. I assist parents in protecting their child’s best interests and can help you review the next steps at a consultation.
In Missouri, knowingly failing to provide adequate support for a child whom a parent is legally obligated to support constitutes a crime. The courts take this responsibility very seriously, and when parents do not comply with child support orders, aggressive enforcement measures are often pursued.
One of the most immediate repercussions of nonpayment is a motion for contempt. If a custodial parent believes they have not received the support ordered by the court, they can file this motion, which could lead to serious consequences for the non-paying parent, including withholding earnings and possibly jail time until the parent has cured their contempt. There are also other options outside of filing a motion for contempt to ensure a parent pays child support including seizing funds controlled by the State, e.g., income tax refunds, suspending the parent’s driving privileges and criminal prosecution.
Arguably the most significant penalty for failing to pay child support is incarceration. A prosecutor has the ability to file criminal charges against parents that fail to pay child support. The amount of the child support arrearage generally determines whether the criminal charge is a felony or a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor carries a range of punishment up to one year in jail and a $2,000.00 fine. A felony offense can result in imprisonment within the Missouri Department of Corrections in addition to a fine. While some parents behind on child support may not serve time in jail, the possibility of incarceration in some cases is very real, especially for those who continue to refuse to pay the child support.
In certain cases, there are valid reasons that may complicate a parent’s ability to make child support payments, such as a disability, illness or incapacitation. If such is the case, it becomes critical to seek help from an attorney who can help navigate the complexities of the legal system and provide a defense.
With the right legal counsel, it could be possible to avoid these issues by either reaching an agreement with the other parent or obtaining relief from the court. An experienced attorney can provide a candid and honest assessment of the case, advising clients of the risks and benefits associated with their specific situation.
Failing to pay child support in Missouri can lead to serious legal repercussions, including potential jail time. These penalties are designed to enforce the noncustodial parent’s responsibilities and legal obligations to ensure the welfare of their children. However, with the right legal representation, it is possible to navigate these challenges and find a solution that protects your rights and meets your obligations.
If you or someone you know is facing potential prosecution for not paying child support, do not hesitate to seek legal help. As an experienced attorney with over two decades of litigation experience, I am here to provide the legal guidance and representation you need. Contact my office today to discuss your case and explore your options.
A Jefferson City man faced DUI charges following a field sobriety test. Charges against the defendant were dropped after Scott successfully maintained the client’s claims that the test results were inaccurate. While the client initially appeared to be in a difficult situation, Scott was able to push investigators to determine the sobriety test results as invalid, so the charges were dismissed.
A mother was seeking sole custody of her children following a divorce. The father refused to cooperate, leaving the client in a difficult situation as she felt as though her children didn’t have a voice. Scott recognized her need for an advocate and carefully listened to the children’s wishes, which conclusively helped the client achieve sole custody of her children and protected their best interests.
A client from Fulton was accused of drug possession as a result of a home search. While drug charges may potentially be filed as a Class C felony involving severe consequences, Scott was able to help the client receive a reduced sentence. Ultimately, the client faced significantly smaller penalties compared to the initial charges.
Scott assisted a defendant in a particularly challenging divorce case in which the other spouse was not cooperating. Scott was able to help the client avoid court through an aggressive legal approach to resolve all outstanding disagreements while maintaining the client’s long-term needs.
One client sought legal assistance after an altercation with another individual in Jefferson City. The client was arrested on assault charges despite allegedly not starting the fight. Since an arrest can lead to life-altering penalties such as being terminated from employment and serving jail time, Scott was able to build a solid legal defense in the client’s favor and argued in favor of the client’s innocence.
A grandparent sought visitation rights to his grandchild after the parent tried to block him. Scott takes grandparents’ rights very seriously, and so he devised a strategy to help the grandparent set a visitation schedule. Scott developed a strategy to show that the child’s best interests were fulfilled through the grandparent’s ability to visit the child, helping push the case towards a resolution in the client’s favor.
Scott assisted a client who was injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence. The defendant claimed that the opposing party using their phone at the time of the crash, and Scott emphasized this claim to show that the other driver was at fault for the client’s injuries. The case concluded with the client receiving the necessary compensation for medical bills following a long hospital stay due to injuries.
I would highly recommend attorney Scott Hamblin. Mr. Hamblin was very easy to work with, explaining all my options as the case progressed. He took into consideration my priorities, what was most important to me, and skillfully negotiated them into an ideal settlement agreement. And his legal assistant, Madasyn, is such a delight to interact with.
Scott was honest, he was straightforward, and the best of all he was good at what he does. He's very knowledgeable and practices his craft well. I had a 10/10 experience with Scott and will trust no other attorney to handle my case.
Scott Hamblin is a great attorney. Between Scott and his legal assistant Madasyn, I felt like all my questions were answered promptly and thoroughly. Scott is very knowledgeable and was very well prepared for trial. I would recommend Scott to anyone needing an attorney.
Can't say enough good things about Mr. Hamblin and his team. They're responsive, treat your case like it's their own, and are personable as can be. Court can be daunting, but they are there to help you through every step of the tough process. Madasyn is part of this team and deserves to be recognized too, as she was friendly and encouraging from beginning to end. They handle it all with ease and you won't regret coming to them for help and advice along your journey.
10/10 recommend Mr. Scott Hamblin. Mr. Hamblin and his legal assistant Madasyn have been wonderful throughout my whole case and very prompt, and helpful the whole time. He was very thorough and left nothing missed during my whole case. Questions were answered quickly throughout the process whether through email, phone or in person. As well as the whole process was explained step by step. I highly recommend Mr Hamblin for any family law matters! I couldn’t of asked for better representation for my case.
I came across Scott Hamblin on the internet and read his bio and was very impressed. I have not been disappointed with his knowledge and understanding. If you are in need of a great lawyer, this is the call to make. You will not regret hiring him. Thank you, Scott.
Scott recently provided outstanding representation for my divorce. He was well-prepared throughout the course of the litigation and trial, resulting in a very favorable outcome for me. Scott is a very bright attorney who takes pride in his work, and it shows. He is truly in a league of his own.
Scott is a phenomenal attorney, no sugar-coating straightforward and to the point. As an older man I found myself in a custody case, and had little hope of any outcomes in my favor. This guy knows his law and his business, and is about it. His personality is soothing and his office is always on point. To say I’m ecstatic with his ability is an understatement.
Scott is the best attorney, hands down! My husband had a fairly difficult case, he had little hope that he’d be able to receive anything he was asking for and Scott helped him achieve everything, very quickly. He’s very professional, compassionate and understanding and works hard to help you achieve the best possible outcome. We are very thankful.
Scott came highly recommended by an attorney friend of mine after I received an unfavorable outcome working with a different lawyer in the area. Scott was smart, pleasant to work with, and achieved the best possible outcome for me. I only wish I would have used him sooner.
For accessible and experienced representation, contact attorney Scott Hamblin today.
NUVEW | Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | Privacy Policy
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing certain contact information herein, you are expressly authorizing the recipient of this message to contact you via the methods of communication provided.
