In family law cases, child support is something that should be taken very seriously. In Nevada, there is a child support formula that is pretty straightforward that evaluates how much each parent makes, and other financial factors. Once the amount is reached -- and agreed upon -- it then becomes the legal obligation of the one parent to pay child support. This legal obligation means failing to pay would be considered against the law.

One 61-year-old doctor is finding this out firsthand. The ear, nose and throat specialist was recently arrested after attempting to enter into Mexico. This was after more than 11 years of not paying his court-ordered child support.

The doctor used to practice medicine in the United States. However, in 1999 he was ordered to pay $2,400 a month in child support for his two children. In September 2000 the man stopped paying all together, and now it appears he even went as far as to live in another country to avoid prosecution for not paying.

In 2006 a federal indictment was returned against the doctor. Years after that indictment, he was arrested when he tried to go to Mexico. The 61-year-old doctor has since pleaded guilty to not paying child support while avoiding legal repercussions by living outside of the country. He will be sentenced on April 17.

In this case, while it's unknown why the man stopped paying child support, it's important for parents who are worried about paying child support to remember that the courts do understand that circumstances change, and therefore sometimes arrangements may need to be made. However, simply just not paying is never an option.

In general, if you are a person who is either struggling to pay child support, or you are a parent who is owed child support, it is best to contact a family law attorney to see what legal avenues could possibly be taken.

Source: WAPT, "Doctor Admits Failing To Pay Child Support," Feb. 9, 2012