There are numerous different options available for parents who must pay child support. Many people have their payments automatically withheld by their employer, but that is not the only way to pay.
Picking an appropriate payment method is one of the best ways to ensure that you make your payments on time and in full, thus avoiding any potential issues with the law.
Paying via bank
The Maryland State Disbursement Unit discusses some of the ways to pay child support. First, as mentioned, you can have your employer simply take the child support payment from your paycheck. This is an easy and automated way to make payments on time.
Of course, it is also possible to pay with a bank account or credit card. You can set up your bank account so the government can take the child support payment directly from that. However, note that this does not result in your income withholding order getting terminated, and that is something you have to do separately.
Credit card payments
You may also use a number of different credit cards approved by the state for use in making child support payments. Doing so will result in a convenience fee, however, meaning you will spend even more on child support every month than you would have with a direct deposit. Many states also do not accept credit cards with foreign addresses.
Regardless of the method chosen, make sure to pay on time and in full every month. Otherwise, you face penalties like loss of tax refunds, threat of arrest, license revocation and more.