Child Support in Bankruptcy in Raleigh

Child Support in Bankruptcy in Raleigh

What You Need to Know (and Why There’s Hope!)

If you’re behind on child support and struggling with debt, you’re probably feeling stressed. Bills are piling up. Creditors are calling. You want to take care of your kids, but it feels impossible. The good news is that bankruptcy may be able to help you get back on track, even with child support.

Let’s talk about how child support in bankruptcy in Raleigh works, whether you’re filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. We’ll keep it simple, positive, and easy to understand.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is money that one parent pays to help raise their child. It’s used to pay for things like:

• Food and clothes

• School supplies

• Medical care

• Housing and utilities

• Daycare or babysitting

In North Carolina, child support is court-ordered, which means the law says you must pay it. If you fall behind, the court can take your tax refund, your driver’s license, or even part of your paycheck. It’s serious stuff—but you still have options.

Can Bankruptcy Get Rid of Child Support?

No. Child support is not a debt that can be erased in bankruptcy. That means you’ll still owe whatever child support you were ordered to pay, even after your bankruptcy is over.

But here’s the good news: Filing for bankruptcy can help you catch up, stay current, and stop other bills from getting in the way. That’s why many parents still choose to file for bankruptcy even if they owe child support—it gives them room to breathe and a real chance to recover.

Let’s look at how it works in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Child Support in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 is the quicker kind of bankruptcy. It usually takes just 3 to 4 months and erases most debts like:

• Credit cards

• Medical bills

• Personal loans

• Payday loans

But it does not erase child support. That means you’ll still owe your past-due (or current) child support when your case is done.

So how does Chapter 7 help?

By wiping away other debts, Chapter 7 frees up your money. That means you may finally have enough to catch up on child support and take care of your children.

Also, once you file Chapter 7, the court puts a hold on other creditors, but not child support collection. That’s important to remember. If your wages are already being garnished for child support, that part won’t stop just because you filed. But your other garnishments might.

If your license or passport is at risk because of missed child support payments, Chapter 13 (which we’ll explain next) may offer a better solution.

Child Support in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 works differently. It’s a 3- to 5-year repayment plan where you pay some or all of your debts through the court. And here’s the key part:

You can include past-due child support payments in your repayment plan.

That means if you owe $5,000 in child support, you don’t have to come up with it all at once. You can pay it slowly over time as part of your monthly Chapter 13 payment.

This helps:

• Stop wage garnishments

• Protect your driver’s license

• Stop the IRS from taking your refund

• Keep your payment plan affordable

Chapter 13 gives you time to catch up on what you owe without being crushed by other bills.

You still have to pay your ongoing monthly child support, but that’s easier when you’re not drowning in other debt.

How We Help with Child Support in Bankruptcy in Raleigh

At Cameron Bankruptcy Law, we’ve helped parents all over Raleigh file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 and finally feel some peace. We know how scary it can be when you’re behind on child support and bills. That’s why we offer:

• Free consultations

• Same-day filings

• Emergency filings if your home, paycheck, or license is at risk

• Easy payment plans

We also work with family law attorneys if needed, so you can stay on top of all parts of your legal situation.

What If You’re Owed Child Support?

Bankruptcy doesn’t stop a parent from collecting child support. If you’re the one receiving child support, the other parent still has to pay—even if they file for bankruptcy. You’re protected by law, and their bankruptcy doesn’t change your child’s right to support.

You’re Not Alone — Let’s Solve This Together

If you’re worried about child support in bankruptcy in Raleigh, we’re here to help. You may not be able to erase the child support, but we can erase other debt, help you catch up, and get your life back on track.

Call (984) 7NO-DEBT or (984) 766-3328 today
Visit CameronBankruptcyLaw.com
Or book a free appointment at BKAppointment.com

You love your kids. You want to do the right thing. We’ll help you make it happen—even if the road feels tough right now. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s take the next step together.

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