Can Child Support Laws Work Against Parents?

The case of Douglas Miller is one many parents can relate to. 

Miller always worked hard to ensure he could make child support payments for his daughter.  But when he was unexpectedly laid off as a result of the hard economy, Miller was no longer able to afford payments.  Having fallen behind on his child support obligations, the state suspended his driver’s license, a common penalty for parents who fail to pay support.

Miller eventually got a new job, but when he went in to get his driver’s license reinstated so he could drive to work the court said no. The court would not reinstate his license until he paid back the child support he owed.

With no license, Miller knew he couldn’t get to work. Frustrated, he was able to get help from Sen. Wilson Beffort. Beffort understood that sometimes there needs to be exceptions to the rules.  The New Mexico human services department also said that if there’s proof a parent has a job opportunity, they will work with the parent to help get their driver’s license back.

But for Miller, getting his license back wasn’t easy or simple.  “I had to jump through hoops,” he said.

Miller’s license was eventually reinstated and he now has a job where he is able to continue making child support payments for his daughter.