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A support order required Parent to pay $700 per month. Parent paid nothing for 14 months while working irregular cash jobs. During that period, Other Parent accepted grocery cards, used clothes, and several weekend babysitting shifts from Parent. Other Parent texted, "Do what you can until you get steady work." Parent now has a full-time job and a bank account balance of $4,800. The child received state medical assistance during part of the nonpayment period.
The support agency seeks a judgment for arrears, income withholding, interception of Parent's tax refund, suspension of Parent's recreational license, and civil contempt. Parent argues that Other Parent privately forgave support, that in-kind help should fully satisfy the order, and that jail would make it impossible to keep the new job. Parent has not filed any motion to modify support.
Discuss the likely enforcement remedies, whether Parent may receive credit for in-kind contributions, whether civil contempt is appropriate, and why a private side agreement generally cannot eliminate the child's right to ordered support.