Darius McCrary, who played the role of Eddie Winslow on the 1990s hit television show Family Matters, was arrested recently in Michigan for failure to pay child support. The 38-year-old actor was arrested at the order of a judge during a court appearance by McCrary. The judge told the former TV star to either pay the child support owed or to go to jail.
McCrary allegedly had child support arrears in the amount of $5500. Rather than spend the time behind bars the actor decided to pay the child support owed. Had he not paid, he could potentially have faced about two weeks in jail.
For parents who have been ordered to pay child support, it is important to keep in mind that there are consequences for not paying. The amount of child support that a court orders depends on several factors including the income of both parents, the health status of the child, medical, educational and health care needs of the child, and which parent has custody of the child. Typically, child support payments are monthly and the non-custodial parent is required to pay them.
Sometimes even the most responsible and well-meaning parent may fall on hard times and be unable to make court-ordered child support payments. As McCrary’s case illustrates, there are consequences for having child support arrears and a person can face arrest and jail time. In such cases, rather than having child support payments due accumulate, it is important to consult with a family law firm to determine if filing a petition for modification of child support is appropriate.
Source: AToast2Wealth, “Actor Darius McCrary, Arrested and Jailed for Non-Payment of Child Support,” April 2, 2015
