Arrears
Arrears are past-due child support (or alimony) payments that a parent failed to pay when they were owed. In Florida, arrears do not simply disappear — they continue to accrue, can include statutory interest, and remain collectible through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, and other enforcement tools. A Florida court generally cannot retroactively forgive child support arrears that have already vested.
Last updated June 21, 2026
Legal Definition
The accumulated unpaid balance of court-ordered support obligations; under Florida law, each missed support installment becomes a vested judgment that may accrue interest and is enforceable through the Florida Department of Revenue and the courts, and is not retroactively modifiable.
Example
After missing six months of payments, he owed several thousand dollars in child support arrears plus interest.
Related Statutes
- 61.14
- 61.30
Related Terms
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