Child Support FAQs

• Q: If The Obligor Parent Doesn't Pay, Can Visitation Be Stopped?
  A: No. The child support obligation and the right to child visitation are two different issues. Failure to pay child support is insufficient grounds to stop the right of … More
• Q: Is Child Support Suspended During Summer Vacations With The Noncustodial Parent?
  A: No, unless the parents agree to a different amount during vacation periods when the child(ren) are away for long periods of time with the non­custodial parent or … More
• Q: My Wife Has Threatened To File For Bankruptcy. What Effect Does Bankruptcy Have On Child Support?
  A: Filing for bankruptcy protection does not allow your ex to discharge past due child support obligations. Any back payments owed for child support cannot be included as … More
• Q: My Income Dropped Dramatically When I Was Laid Of My Job And Cannot Make My Child Support Payments. Is There Anyway I Can Lower My Child Support Payments?
  A: Unexpected, significant decreases in income can be a reason to request modification of your child support order. Before incurring the additional expense of a … More
• Q: Do I Need To Use An Attorney To Do The Paperwork For Releasing A Consenting Father Of His Parental Rights?
  A: In the end you are better off using an attorney. The issue is one of informed consent. You might pay for his attorney to advise him of his rights and to place in any … More
• Q: What Are The Tax Consequences Of Child Support?
  A: For federal income tax purposes, child support payments you receive are not income ­ they are tax free to you. The parent who makes the payments cannot deduct the … More
• Q: What Efforts Can Be Taken To Collect Child Support From The Parent Who Does Not Pay?
  A: When a parent fails to provide support for a child, the parents need to work together to make arrangements for mutual sharing of the expense of raising the child. For … More
• Q: What If The Obligee Does Not Spend Any Money On The Child?
  A: This is a very difficult issue to resolve. One hand, the obligee parent has the right to spend child support money received as s/he sees fit, in the best interest of a … More
• Q: What Is The Parent Locater Service?
  A: The Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) obtains and transmits information about the location of any absent parent when that information is to be used for the purpose … More
• Q: What Other Collection Remedies Are Available?
  A: The following are other alternative courses of action: Government: Many states have empowered local government agencies (such as the Office of District Attorney) to … More