Tracking Down Delinquent Child Support

 Posted on June 27, 2013 in Child Custody

A $338 million Powerball winner in New Jersey has reignited a national conversation about child support, according to the CS Monitor, and brought to light some rather alarming statistics. In 2011, reports the CS Monitor, "12 percent of Americans were owed child support and did not receive it." When Pedro Quezada won the Powerball, it seemed as if he'd no longer have an excuse not to immediately begin making payments on the $29,000 he owed in back child support payments. According to the Department of Health and Human Services and reported by the CS Monitor, "Quezada is just $1,000 away from being part of the top 11 percent of arrears delinquents in child support owed." The figures go on and on. "For 13.7 million custodial parents on child support, there are 11.4 million cases on non-custodial delinquency." That's more than 83 percent. The cultural meme that a father feels like an ATM or is being taken advantage of paying undue child support may not be as prevalent as it feels. In fact, according to the CS Monitor, "around 70 percent of arrears owed nationwide is owed by noncustodial parents who have little or no reported income and thus is largely uncontrollable." The irony, and fear, speculated by the CS Monitor reporter is that now that Quezada can pay, his big winnings will only fuel the delusion of other deadbeat parents who think one day they'll get the big payoff, and can avoid paying child support in the meantime. According to the Chicago Tribune, the best way to collect child support that you're owed is through income withholding. The first step is to contact the Office of Child Support Enforcement. Keep in mind that tracking down child support payments may end up costing you money, as well as time. Be sure to factor this in to any payment you're expecting to get, and decide if the cost is worth it. The last resort in a worst-case scenario child support situation is to press charges. If you or someone you know is seeking delinquent child support payments, don't go through it alone. Contact a dedicated Illinois family law attorney today.

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