As someone who collects on delinquent child support...

Jail is a powerful motivator. I've never actually gotten anyone jail time. By the time that sentencing hearing comes up, I always have money in the bank or an acceptable proposal for a payment plan.

Which suggests the people who actually end up in jail probably cannot actually pay the debt.

If only judges were willing to use it - in my experience, as in yours, apparently, jail time is not actually given. Don't think the deadbeats don't know it. I have a stack of expensive papers saying my ex owes child support - but all he had to do was say "Oh, I'm going to pay" and the judge would shake his/her finger at him and say "Naughty, naughty". I took him to court at least 5 times before I wised up to the fact that the only people getting money were my lawyers. Not that I'm bitter . . . and the TX AG office won't go after my sister's ex, who owes well over $12,000 - because he is in Michigan. :mad: