Child support can hurt your credit but not help it? Is that legal?

Question

Shouldn't child support payments be considered similiar to loan payments? I mean, you pay until the child is 18. They say if you are late that they will dock your credit score, but they never report any positives. As a non-custodial parent myself, I ran into some trouble recently and fell late for the very first time in my son's 10 year life. So I am upset because I have never been positively affected on my credit by my 10 years worth of steady payments, so it seems unfair that I should be penalized AT ALL, let alone penalized in a way that I can never reverse AND furthermore it is shown to anyone reviewing my credit.

Anyone?

Right, I do not advocate paying child support late at all. It is my responsibility. So answer the question....

Because paying your home loan on time and so on is a positive on your credit.

Answer 1

First, you shouldn't be late for your son's child support in the first place. second, you are right, child support is like a loan. It would be the same for your home loan, car loan ...any kind of loan, if owe them..you pay them...on time. Don't look at paying on time as a positives, it is an agreement and a responsibility that you need to get in your mind. AND you CAN fix your credit score with some paper work and phone calls.
You will get positives for your credit report for loans is because these companies lend you (stranger) their money for your needs. BUT child support is YOU paying for something that YOU made and that is your son. Why do you think you would get credit on your credit report for raising your own kid? AND the reason you will be penalize for late payment is due to your legal agreement with the other party. You are being penalize because they reported you to the credit unions. (in which case, most won't file report for 1 late payment if you inform them in advance of your difficulties)

Answer 2

Because its part of life. Its not always fair but there isn't much you can do about it. You sound like a nice guy and you love your child and if this is the first time you are late in the past ten years- I wish all dads in this situation are like you.