Child support was established to assist parents with the cost of raising a child when one parent is not present in the home. The intention child support is to insure that both parents share in the financial obligations of raising a child. Children benefit when the resources of both parents are used to a child’s welfare.

There are a multitude of methods for establishing child support payments, delivering funds to the recipient parent and the enforcement of payments. Both the private and public sectors provide programs to deliver the aims of child support. However, the most active and successful program throughout the nation is the Child Support program set up by State laws and courts. Each individual state has established laws in support of that State’s program. These programs are often run by agencies dedicated to the purpose with special courts established for enforcement. These programs collect and distribute billions of dollars annually to children.

The program is not without faults or glitches. Like any public program, red tape and impersonal evaluation of circumstances comes with a set of problems that impacts lives. Often, those who deserve to receive child support find that they are not collecting the amounts they are entitled to collect. While those charged with paying support are at times, burdened with a liability they cannot afford.

Unfortunately, child support programs are not flexible enough to respond to changes in circumstances as quickly as life happens. This causes stress to the participants and in many cases motivates people to ignore or abandon compliance and use of the system to remedy problems. This is mistake and is the major cause of headaches.

Parents on both sides of the table often throw their hands up and give up. They ignore letters and court orders. Many feel that they will not get the help they need, while others feel the system is unforgiving and out to drain their blood. Neither is accurate. The system’s goal is to act as an intermediary, whose goal is to assist everyone involved.

With currently over $39 billion of uncollected child support payments lingering in the system, States have taken an aggressive stance in enforcement tactics. The result is greater reporting and publication to credit bureaus of past due child support payments, known as arrearages, and the possibility of jail to those who have ignored their arrearages.
In order to make the system work for you, work within the system. If you are not receiving payments that your child is entitled to, immediately contact your State agency and follow their instructions to the letter. If you find yourself behind in support payments, contact the agency immediately.

Do not ignore letters, phone calls or court orders. Respond immediately before things spiral out of control. There are answers to your problems related to child support. You can only find the solutions if you are clearly aware of the options.

You don’t have to navigate the system alone. There are people who understand your situation and can help. Professionals who are familiar with the system are there for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Improve your child’s chances for success in life. Ignoring the issue only makes it worse. Make informed decisions relating to child support and everyone wins.

Author Bio: http://alphaparaprofessionalservices.com

Category: Parenting
Keywords: child support,advice,law,owe child support,arrears,abatement,friend of court,foc,legal,