Florida Man Sent to Prison for Failing to Pay Child Support
Posted By Law Office of Scott Ellerin on Jan 19, 2010 2:17pm PST
A Florida man was sentenced to two years in federal prison for willful failure to pay child support. In addition to the two-year prison sentence, Robert George Cahill was also ordered to pay $72,732 in past-due child support for his daughter, now 17, and his son, now 13.
Cahill, 41, was ordered to pay child support in April 1997 by a Lee County state court judge. Even though Cahill was aware of his child support obligations and was often employed, he only made child support payments occasionally.
According to an article on Tampa Bay Online, authorities were able to involuntary take payments by arresting him and then requiring him to pay cash bond in order to be released. That money went towards his child support arrears. Cahill also had his tax refund seized and had to pay $300 to avoid getting his driver’s license suspended.
Back in 2007, Cahill told federal agents that he tried to obtain work that paid him under the table to avoid having child support garnished from his wages.
Once released from prison, Cahill must serve one year of probation as ordered by U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew.
Contact an Experienced Child Support Attorney
If you are facing criminal penalties or pressure from the police because you are behind on your child support payments, do not wait until you are arrested to speak with an attorney. Jacksonville child support lawyer Scott Ellerin has represented many parents who have fallen behind on paying child support, and can negotiate with the judge to work out some type of repayment plan. As a parent, you have obligations to your children that include making sure they have the financial resources needed to provide for basic necessities. Mr. Ellerin knows that sometimes things come up that prevent a parent from being able to make payments. Mr. Ellerin can help you find a way to fulfill your responsibilities, whether that means asking the court to modify your child support order or figuring out a way for you to repay the child support you owe. There are always options in these situations, and Attorney Scott Ellerin is here to help you take advantage of them.
To learn more, please contact the Law Office of Scott Ellerin today at (904) 866-4489!