Full question:
My widow sister left her kids in her husband’s house and came to stay with me. She never visits her kids nor does she send them money. Isn’t this wrong? Can she land into trouble for not supporting her kids? We live in Louisiana.
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Child Support
- Date:
- State: Louisiana
Answer:
Yes, your sister may face legal consequences for not providing child support. As a parent, she has a legal obligation to support her children. If she fails to provide child support for more than six months, she could face imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to five hundred dollars. This is outlined in Louisiana law under the "Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act" (La. R.S. § 14:75).
The law states that it is unlawful for a parent to intentionally fail to pay child support if the obligation has remained unpaid for over six months or exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars. For a first offense, the penalties include a fine of up to five hundred dollars or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. For subsequent offenses, the penalties increase significantly.
If convicted, the court will order restitution for the unpaid support. However, if your sister can prove she was financially unable to pay during the time she failed to meet her obligations, it may serve as a defense against charges under this law.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.