Hunting & Fishing License Suspensions for Child Support in NY

Do you love to fish or hunt? If so, your recreational license suspensions can be at risk if you fall behind on child support. In all states, local child support agencies can come down hard on noncustodial parents who skip their child support payments.

If a parent falls too far behind on child support in New York, their driver’s license can be suspended, they can be denied a U.S. passport, their professional licenses can be suspended, they can be denied an economic stimulus check, and their hunting and fishing licenses (recreational licenses) can be suspended!

Most people aren’t surprised to learn that their tax refund can go to back child support or that the funds in their bank account can be seized, or that liens can be placed on their primary residence, but suspend their hunting and fishing licenses for child support? Yes, that’s normally a surprise.

License Suspensions for Failing to Pay Child Support

“All 50 states have statutory or administrative provisions authorizing the suspension or revocation of various licenses for failure to pay child support. The licenses affected generally are driver's, occupational, professional (e.g., law), business and recreational (e.g., hunting and fishing),” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In New York, the following licenses can be suspended for owing back child support:

  • Driver’s licenses
  • Occupational licenses
  • Professional licenses
  • Recreational licenses (e.g. hunting and fishing)
  • Business licenses

“How much child support do I have to owe before my licenses are suspended?” Under New York law, licenses can be suspended after a parent is in arrears equal to or greater than four months, which really isn’t that bad. In New Mexico, for example, a parent’s licenses can be suspended after the parent falls behind only 30 days.

If your licenses have been suspended or if they’re about to for back child support, we urge you to reach out to our firm for help, which may include petitioning the court for a downward modification. We understand how overwhelming this can be, but the solutions exist and we can help you find yours. Contact us today to get started.

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