If you’re a single parent you may be entitled to child support which can help out a lot. Sadly, it’s not always easy to get the support you need or deserve for your kids. With this in mind following are some resources that can help.
Establish paternity: If you’re a mama then establishing paternity is the first best step toward getting child support.
Know what you can get: Before making a deal of any sort with the father or mother of your kids make sure you know what’s reasonable. Many people make shoddy deals for child support such as, “Oh Bill agreed to give me $300 per month so I don’t need child support.” Most of the time court arranged child support is a better deal for the parent who has the kids more often. All states have their own policies and rates when it comes to child support but you can get a rough estimate at your state’s child support enforcement website, or you can call the state CSE agency for a copy.
Know your rights: You can look over the child support enforcement website for answers to frequently asked questions about child support – although you should note this is a national website. For answers to specific questions about child support that relate to your state contact your local child support enforcement.
Find an AWOL parent: Nonpaying parents often hide out from the custodial parent so they can avoid child support obligation. However the federal government has a Parent Locator Service that may be able to help you by finding the AWOL parent and then enforcing the child support order and collecting unpaid support.
Get free or low-cost help and advice about child support: Often the only way to get child support enacted or enforced is to head to court – ridiculous since if you’re not getting child support it’s highly unlikely you have enough cash to cover court fees and lawyers. Try contacting one of the following resources.
- Legal Services for Children
- Your state’s child support enforcement (CSE) can offer ideas about court and legal advice.
- Your local Ombudsperson and Complaint Resolution program can help – look up, “Ombudsperson and Complaint Resolution + your local area” on Google.
- Locate a local Family Law Facilitator or your local Family Law Facilitator Office – the state CSE can give you info on how to find this resource or you can look up “Family Law Facilitator+ your local area” online.
More resources:
- How to collect overdue child support
- Crime and punishment for deadbeats
- When child support becomes a bribe
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