That doesn't matter. The law can still get involved. My uncle owes the most child support in the state of Texas, a big state, and thus can't come back to the USA. Long story short he was a pro baseball player. When they divorced he gave her a house and $5mil for the kids upfront because, believe it or not, he's a great dad. Thing is when he retired his lawyer dragged his feet on the paperwork. He basically had to pay for what he was making as a baseball player before he retired. His lawyer told him not to pay it because he'd get things take care off. Years later he can't come back to the US because federal marshalls would pick him up. He fired the lawyer and hired a new one where things have changed and he isn't having to pay that high arse amount anymore, however, he still has to pay for the amout accured before getting the new lawyer which when making 2.1mil a year and they want years of child support worth it's added up. All of this happened without the wife starting it. The state was making sure he was paying so when it stopped they went full force.