arrearages
In family law, arrearages refer to the debt owed, when the non-costudial parent and/or ex-spouse fails to make child and/or spousal support payments. Arrearages begin to accrue from the date of the first missed payment.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
Overdue alimony or child support payments. Child support arrearages can't be discharged in bankruptcy, and courts usually will not retroactively cancel them. A spouse or parent who falls on tough times and is unable to make payments should request a temporary modification of the payments before the arrearages build up.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:11 pm
