According to the Department of Justice and Federal law, it is unlawful for a parent to willfully refuse to pay court-ordered child support. If one is found in violation of child support laws, offenders may face fines and imprisonment.
This article covers the law and exceptions to the rule legally mandating parents to pay their child support, including their stepchildren. Also covered is when a parent can petition the court to modify the support order and under what circumstances.
Finally, at the end of this article, you will find the list of states and contact information for their respective child-support enforcement departments.
Child Support Obligations
Legal Duty To Support One’s Minor Children
Supporting your minor children includes providing sufficient food, clothing, safe shelter, and what the law calls basic care. In most states, failing to provide these basic legal requirements for your minor children can lead to neglect or abuse charges.
Length Of Time Parent Must Support Minor Child
Typically, a parent must support a child until the child reaches maturity, usually 18 years of age in most states. However, if the child is disabled, the obligation may continue indefinitely.
Some states also require the parents to provide for the child’s education even if the child has passed the age of majority. But if the child goes through the courts to become emancipated and the court rules in the child’s favor, then the parent’s obligation usually ends.
Support For Stepchildren
A parent has no legal obligation to pay support for minor stepchildren. However, if the parent legally adopted the stepchild, both parents will be legally obliged to continue the support until the child or children reach the age of majority.
Support Modifications
Changed Financial Circumstances
A parent’s legal obligation to support their minor children does not terminate with divorce. In most states, divorced parents must still pay child support to meet their basic needs.
Suppose a divorced parent has a change in financial circumstances and can no longer afford to pay their ordered amount of child support. In that case, the parent can seek relief by petitioning the court for a support modification order.
The court, in deciding whether to grant a parent’s request for a child support modification, will carefully consider the following: the unexpected loss of a job, an inability to find a new job with a similar income, getting into a traffic accident that temporarily prevents the parent from returning to work, an unexpected drop in income such as what happened during the Covid -19 layoff which caused financial hardship for many workers.
Change In Circumstances Must Be Substantial
Life-changing event causing a profound and sometimes permanent change in circumstances
When the non-custodial parent’s financial capacity to pay child support is no longer possible due to a sudden adverse and unexpected event that has changed his life circumstances entirely.
Sometimes the non-custodial parent is going through a life-changing event such as a disabling car accident, job loss, or being convicted of a crime. As a result, they are unable to meet their child-support obligations.
Child support modifications process
The parent petitioning for a modification order reducing the amount of child support must provide verifiable evidence of changed circumstances.
Circumstances that would result in a reduced level of income or even a total loss of income, proof of an unexpected and disabling injury, or some other circumstance that would genuinely prevent the non-custodial parent from making their ordered child support, including “other factors” which the judge feels is appropriate to warrant a reduction in payments.
Factors Determining Amount of Child Support
Before the court considers the factors, it will require full written disclosure of each parent’s financial condition, including all income and expenses.
Once the court has an accurate fix on each parent’s ability to pay, the court will rule based on the child’s best interests.
The following types of factors will be considered in determining child support:
- Physical Condition of Both Parents
- Income and Needs of Custodial Parent
- Age of Children and Special Needs of the Child
- Childs Standard of Living Before Divorce
- Educational and Health Status of the Child
The court will determine what amount of child support is most consistent with the child’s best interests. While most states are very consistent with this judicial priority, each state’s family law code spells out what factors the court can consider in making this determination.
When Communication Between Parents Stop
Unfortunately, under these conditions, especially where there is little to no communication between the former spouses, the non-custodial spouse is to go into a state of denial.
While the non-custodial parent might panic due to their changed circumstances, getting stuck in a cycle of fear and shame, they can detach themselves from the actual consequences of not fully complying with the court’s child support order.
The non-custodial parent would be much better served by returning to court, offering evidence of why they cannot afford to continue to pay the full amount of support, and seeking to modify the support order.
Follow Your States Guidelines On Support Enforcement
For more specific information, learn how your state defines what is in the child’s best interests under different circumstances.
Should the non-custodial parent not be granted a modification, and if the non-custodial parent remain delinquent on their payments, they will likely be forced to deal with their state’s child enforcement agency
Child Support State Enforcement Services
State courts are rigorous when it comes to enforcing child support orders. The enforcement tools at the disposal of the state are plenary and effective. These collection tools include, but are not limited to, the following:
- garnishment of wages
- attachment of bank account
- seizing property
- driver’s license revocation
Child support agencies provide the following types of services to families:
- Locate non-custodial parents
- Establish paternity
- Establish and enforce the support order
- Modify orders when appropriate
- Collect and disburse child support payments
Retaining A Divorce Or Family Lawyer To Assist You
Trouble in collecting child support from the non-custodial spouse is stressful and can cause high anxiety levels.
By the time the non-custodial parent falls months behind in their child support obligations, communication between the parents has likely turned so hostile that direct contact has become nearly impossible.
Fighting over child support issues can also be emotionally harmful to your children. If your emotional situation has reached such a level, you should consider consulting with an experienced child support lawyer in your state.
In addition to your legal needs, you should also consider the importance of your emotional well-being and your children’s.
One crucial advantage of retaining a lawyer in child support cases is that the lawyer may insulate you from having to personally deal with these issues while also guiding you through the judicial and administrative process.
Paying Child Support If Parent Moves Away With Child
Suppose the child is no longer living with the custodial parent. Must the payor spouse continue paying child support after a divorce if the custodial parent moves away with the child and the payor does not know the child’s whereabouts?
Depends On State Jurisdiction
This is a complicated question in family law, and the answer may vary from state to state. It may depend upon whether the payor made reasonable efforts to locate the missing child, how long the missing child was gone, and whether the payments were made to the custodial parent or a court trustee.
Custodial Parent Refuses to Disclose Their Location
Under some circumstances, if the custodial parent conceals both themself and the child, the payor might be able to avoid paying accrued amounts of child support.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
Court Orders Strictly Enforced
The law provides a legal process of enforcing a non-custodial parent that has been delinquent in their child support obligations according to the family court child support order.
Should a non-custodial parent stop making their ordered support payments, under the federal Child Support Enforcement Act, the state enforcement agency must assist the custodial parent in the child support collection process.
CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT SERVICES BY STATE:
Alabama
Child Support Enforcement Division
50 Ripley Street
PO Box 304000
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-4000
Office: (334) 242-9300
Fax: (334) 242-0606
Alaska
Child Support Services Division
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 280
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-6699
Office: (907) 269-6900
Fax: (907) 787-3220
Arizona
Division of Child Support Services
PO Box 40458
Phoenix, Arizona 85067-0458
Customer Service: (800) 882-4151
Metro Phoenix/Maricopa County: (602) 252-4045
Arkansas
Office of Child Support Enforcement
PO Box 8133
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-8133
Office: (501) 682-8398
Fax: (501) 682-8402
California
Dept. of Child Support Services
PO Box 419064, Mail Station – 100
Rancho Cordova, California 95741-9064
Customer Service: 1 (866) 249-0773
Colorado
Division of Child Support Services
1575 Sherman St., 5th Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203-1714
Office: (303) 866-4300
Fax: (303) 866-4360
Connecticut
55 Farmington Avenue
10th Floor
Hartford, Connecticut 06105-3725
Office: (860) 424-4989
Fax: (860) 951-2996
Call Center: (800) 228-5437
Delaware
Division of Child Support Services
PO Box 11223
Wilmington, Delaware 19850
Office: (302) 395-6500
Fax: (302) 395-6733
Customer Service: (302) 577-7171
District of Columbia
Child Support Services Division,
Judiciary Square
441 Fourth Street NW 550 N
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
Office: (202) 724-2131
Fax: (202) 724-3710
Customer Service: (202) 442-9900
Florida
PO Box 8030
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-7016
Office: (850) 717-7000
Fax: (850) 921-0792
Customer Service: (850) 488-5437
Georgia
2910 Miller Road
Suite 200
Decatur, GA 30035
Office: (404) 657-1130
Fax: (404) 463-7351
1-844-MYGADHS
Hawaii
Child Support Enforcement Agency
601 Kamokila Boulevard, Suite 207
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
Office: (808) 692-7000
Fax: (808) 692-7134
Idaho
Bureau of Child Support Services
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0036
Office: (800) 356-9868
Fax: (208) 334-5571
Illinois
Division of Child Support Services
509 S. 6th St.
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Office: (800) 447-4278
Fax: (217) 524-6049
Indiana
Child Support Bureau, Department of Child Services
402 West Washington Street, MS 11
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2739
Office: (317) 233-5437
Fax: (317) 232-4969
Iowa
Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit
Department of Human Services
400 SW 8th Street, Suite H
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-4633
Local Offices: (888) 229-9223
Kansas
PO Box 497
Topeka, Kansas 66601-0497
Office: (888) 757-2445
Fax: (785) 296-8395
Kentucky
Department for Income Support, Cabinet for Families and Children
730 Schenkel Lane – PO Box 2150
Frankfort, Kentucky 40602-2150
Office: (502) 564-2285
Fax: (502) 564-5988
Louisiana
Department of Children and Family Services
Box 94065, 627 N. Fourth Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Office: (225) 342-4780
Fax: (225) 342-7397
Maine
Child Support, Division of Support
11 State House Station, 19 Union Street
Augusta, Maine 04333
Office: (207) 624-4100
Fax: (207) 287-5096
Maryland
Saratoga State Center
311 West Saratoga Street, Room 301
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3521
Office: (410) 767-7065
Fax: (410) 333-6264
Customer Service: (800) 332-6347
Massachusetts
Child Support Enforcement Division
Box 7057
Boston, Massachusetts 02204-7057
Office: (800) 332-2733
Fax: (617) 887-7540
Michigan
PO Box 30478
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7978
Friend of the Court: (877) 543-2660
Fax: (517) 373-4980
Minnesota
Office of Child Support Enforcement
444 Lafayette Road,
Box 64946
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0946
Office: (651) 431-4400
Fax: (651) 431-7517
Mississippi
Division of Child Support Enforcement
PO Box 352
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Office: (877) 882-4916
Fax: (601) 359-4370
Missouri
Missouri Department of Social Services
Family Support Services
Box 6790
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-6790
Office: (866) 313-9960
Fax: (573) 751-0507
Montana
Child Support Department of Public Health
2401 Colonial Drive, First Floor
Box 202943
Helena, Montana 59620-2943
Office: (406) 444-9855
Fax: (406) 444-1370
Toll-Free: (800) 346-5437
Nebraska
Box 94728
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4728
Office: 1-877-631-9973 Option 2
Fax: (402) 471-7311
Nevada
State of Nevada Division of Supportive Services
Child Support Enforcement Program
1470 College Parkway
Carson City, Nevada 89706-7924
Office: (775) 684-0705
Fax: (775) 684-0702
Customer Service: (775) 684-7200
Customer Service: (702) 486-1646
Toll-Free: (800) 992-0900
New Hampshire
Division of Child Support Services
129 Pleasant Street
Concord, New Hampshire 03301-8711
Office: (800) 852-3345 (In-State only)
Office: (603) 271-4427
Fax: (603) 271-4787
New Jersey
Office of Child Support Services
PO Box 716
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0716
Call Center: (877)- NJKIDS1 (655-4371)
New Mexico
Child Support Enforcement Division
PO Box 25110
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
Office: (505) 476-7207
Fax: (505) 476-7045
Toll-Free: (800) 585-7631
New York
Division of Child Support Enforcement
40 North Pearl Street, 13th Floor
Albany, New York 12243-0001
Child Support Helpline: (888) 208-4485
North Carolina
PO Box 20800
Raleigh, North Carolina 27619-0800
Office: (919) 855-4755
Fax: (919) 715-8174
(800) 992-9457
North Dakota
Child Support Enforcement Program
PO Box 7190
Bismarck, North Dakota 58507-7190
Office: (701) 328-5440
Fax: (701) 328-5425
Toll-Free: (800) 231-4255
TTY Text: (800) 366-6888
TTY Voice: (800) 366-6889
Ohio
Office of Child Support Enforcement
30 East Broad Street, 31st Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3414
Customer Service: (800) 686-1556
Fax: (614) 752-9760
Oklahoma
PO Box 248822
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73124
OKC Metro: (405) 522-2273
Toll-Free: (800) 522-2922
Oregon
1162 Court Street NE.
Salem, Oregon 97301
Office: (503) 947-4388
Fax: (503) 947-2578
Toll-Free: (800) 850-0228
Customer Service: (503) 373-7300
Pennsylvania
Bureau of Child Support Enforcement,
Department of Human Services
PO Box 8018
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-8018
Office: (800) 932-0211
Fax: (717) 787-9706
Rhode Island
Office of Child Support Services
77 Dorrance Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Office: (401) 458-4400
Fax: (401) 458-4465
South Carolina
Integrated Child Support Services
PO Box 1469
Columbia, South Carolina 29202-1469
Office: (803) 898-9210
Fax: (803) 898-9201
Customer Service: (800) 768-5858
South Dakota
700 Governor’s Drive
Pierre, South Dakota 57501-2291
Office: (605) 773-3641
Fax: (605) 773-7295
Tennessee
15th Floor, Citizens Plaza Building, 400 Deaderick Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1403
Office: (615) 313-4880
Fax: (615) 532-2791
Texas
PO Box 12017
Austin, Texas 78711-2017
Office: (800) 252-8014
Fax: (512) 460-6628
Utah
Office of Recovery Services
PO Box 45033
Salt Lake, Utah 84145-0033
Office: (801) 536-8500
Fax: (801) 536-8636
Vermont
Department of Children and Families
280 State Drive
Waterbury, Vermont 05671-1060
Customer Service Unit: (800) 786-3214
Fax: (802) 241-6534
Virginia
Division of Child Support Enforcement
801 East Main Street, 12th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Office: (800) 257-9986
Fax: (804) 726-7476
Washington
PO Box 11520
Tacoma, Washington 98411
Office: (360) 664-5000
Fax: (866) 668-9518
West Virginia
Bureau for Child Support Enforcement
350 Capitol Street, Room 147
Charleston, West Virginia 25301-3703
Office: (800) 249-3778
Fax: (304) 558-2445
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Child Support Program
PO Box 7935
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7935
Office: (608) 266-9909
Fax: (608) 267-2824
Wyoming
Child Support Enforcement
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building
5th Floor, Suite C
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002
Office: (307) 777-6948
Fax: (307) 777-5588
Puerto Rico
Administration for Child Support Enforcement
PO Box 70376
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-8376
Office: (787) 767-1500
Fax: (787) 282-8324
Virgin Islands
Paternity and Child Support Division
8000 Nisky Center, 2nd Floor, Suite 500
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802
Office: (340) 775-3070
Fax: (340) 775-3808
