How Far Back Can Child Support Go?
Child support is a payment made by one parent to the other for the financial support of their child or children. The amount of child support paid is determined by state law and is based on the income of both parents. In some cases, a court may order back child support payments to be made for a period prior to the date of the court order.
When Is Back Child Support Ordered?
Back child support may be ordered when one parent has failed to provide financial support for their child or children in the past. This could include situations where one parent was unaware that they had a legal obligation to pay child support, or where one parent was unable to pay due to financial hardship. In these cases, a court may order back child support payments to be made from the date that the obligation began until the present day.
How Far Back Can Back Child Support Go?
The amount of time that back child support can go back varies from state to state. Generally speaking, most states have statutes of limitations that limit how far back a court can order back child support payments. These statutes typically range from three to five years, although some states may allow for longer periods depending on the circumstances. It is important to note that even if a court orders back child support payments, it does not necessarily mean that all of those payments will be collected.