The real issue is not whether a parent can refuse to allow visitation if child support is not paid but rather should a parent take this action. The law in North Carolina is very clear that visitation and child support are not connected. That is, simply because a parent does not pay the child support ordered, the custodial parent does not have the right to withhold the child. The appropriate steps to take by the parent who is not receiving child support are an action to enforce the child support order. By withholding the child, you will simply subject yourself to the ire of the court.