You Can’t Outrun Child Support Arrears

Child support isn’t optional. It’s a binding legal and financial obligation designed to protect your children. Yet, every day, some try to dodge it—hoping the courts will forget. Here’s the hard truth: You can’t outrun child support arrears in Arizona.

What Arizona Law Says

  • Once a payment is missed, the arrearage becomes a vested judgment—enforceable just like any final court judgment FindlawAZ Criminal and Family Law+1.
  • Arizona courts cannot retroactively modify or forgive arrears, due to federal law under the Bradley Amendment that prohibits such retroactivity AZ Criminal and Family Law+1.

Enforcement Tools Are Aggressive—and Effective

Arizona law authorizes strong enforcement actions against parents in arrears, including:

  • Wage garnishment via Income Withholding Order WomensLaw.org+15The Valley Law Group+15Justia Law+15.
  • Automatic liens on current and future property when you’re two months late—without even needing a court judgment LegiScan.
  • License suspensions—if you’re six months behind and willfully non-compliant, your driver’s (or recreational) license can be suspended after a hearing Findlaw.
  • Under A.R.S. § 25‑503, if wage withholding fails and six months’ current support is unpaid, the court can require security or bond to ensure future payments Arizona Legislature+15Arizona Legislature+15AZ Criminal and Family Law+15.
  • Internet shaming: The Dept. of Economic Security posts names and photos quarterly of non-payers with over 12 months of arrears Justia Law.

Arizona Case Law Example

In State/DES v. Torres, the court upheld garnishment of an inmate’s trust account under a Limited Income Withholding Order (LIWO) to satisfy over $20,000 in child support arrears—showing just how far enforcement extends—even behind bars dev.azbar.org.

Why It Matters to You

  • If you’re owed support—you’re entitled, and the State has powerful tools to help you collect.
  • If you’re behind on payments—hiding is not an option. The system will track you down through wages, assets, licenses—even public exposure. The longer you wait, the worse it gets.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re the one owed child support or the one who’s behind, you need solid professional advice and a proactive plan. Waiting only escalates the consequences—for both your wallet and your freedom.

Call to Action

At Dodge & Vega PLC – Family Law Trial Lawyers, we know how to fight these battles—whether you’re enforcing support or managing rising arrears.
Don’t let arrears bury your peace of mind—or your future. Schedule your consultation today. Whether you’re protecting your children’s rights or seeking solutions to move forward responsibly, we’re here to guide you.

Dodge & Vega PLC – Arizona Family Law Trial Lawyers

At Dodge & Vega PLC, we don’t hand-hold.
We fight. Relentlessly. Strategically. Legally.

If you’re serious about protecting your kids, your assets, and your future—stop thinking like a victim and start playing to win.

Contact us now before you blow your one chance to make the biggest strategic decision in your case.

📞 Click here to schedule your consult
⚖️ Real trial lawyers. Real results.

Dodge & Vega PLC, protects the innocent and will fight for your child’s rights in a delinquency/criminal matter.  Contact our office for a free 30 minute consult to find out how we can protect your child.   

-Ben Dodge, Esq.,

Founder – Managing Partner, Trial Attorney

Ben Dodge

Founder – Managing Partner, Trial Attorney

Dodge & Vega Trial Law Practice Areas:

Yes, You Can Fire Your Judge – Here’s How

Think you’re stuck with the judge assigned to your family law case?
Think again.

In Arizona, the law gives you a one-time power move most people don’t even know they have:
You can fire your judge. Legally. No explanation required.

At Dodge & Vega PLC, we don’t just show up in family court.
We go to war for our clients—and part of winning the war is knowing when it’s time to change the battlefield. Or in this case, the judge.

Under Rule 6 of the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure, every party has the right to a Change of Judge as a Matter of Right. That’s not legal fluff—it’s a real, enforceable right.

Rule 6(a) – Change of Judge as a Matter of Right

“In any action pending before a superior court judge, any party may file a notice of change of judge once as a matter of right.”

This means you can demand a new judge without having to prove bias or misconduct. You just file the notice, and it’s done.

But here’s the catch: You only get ONE SHOT.
And you must do it before the judge rules on any contested issue or before they preside over a hearing where evidence is presented. Once that happens, your right is gone.

That window closes fast—and if you miss it, you’re stuck. No do-overs.

Why Does This Matter?

Because judges are human. Some are sharp, fair, and experienced in family law. Others? Not so much.

We’ve seen judges who:

  • Routinely rule against fathers
  • Push settlement just to clear the docket
  • Refuse to consider nuanced financial arguments
  • Lack courtroom control or familiarity with custody dynamics

You can’t afford to roll the dice. Not when your parenting time, assets, and future are on the line.

Picking the wrong judge is like stepping onto the field already 10 points down.

This Isn’t a DIY Game

Can you file the Rule 6 notice yourself? Technically, yes.
Should you? Hell no.

Family law is a strategic battleground. Knowing when to file, and more importantly, who you might get instead, takes real legal judgment. You don’t just need help—you need professionals who eat, breathe, and win family law trials.

That’s where we come in.

Dodge & Vega PLC – Arizona Family Law Trial Lawyers

At Dodge & Vega PLC, we don’t hand-hold.
We fight. Relentlessly. Strategically. Legally.

If you’re serious about protecting your kids, your assets, and your future—stop thinking like a victim and start playing to win.

Contact us now before you blow your one chance to make the biggest strategic decision in your case.

📞 Click here to schedule your consult
⚖️ Real trial lawyers. Real results.

If your judge isn’t right—don’t just sit there and take it.
Fire them. Legally. While you still can.

Dodge & Vega PLC, protects the innocent and will fight for your child’s rights in a delinquency/criminal matter.  Contact our office for a free 30 minute consult to find out how we can protect your child.   

-Ben Dodge, Esq.,

Founder – Managing Partner, Trial Attorney

Ben Dodge

Founder – Managing Partner, Trial Attorney

Dodge & Vega Trial Law Practice Areas:

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