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Child Support Enforcment
Child support payment is the one thing that is most often ignored post-divorce. Analysis of support has proven that the level of income does not influence the delinquency of payment. The resulting conclusion has shown that child support has become a power tool for the non-custodial parent. Quite often, this support delinquency is applied out of revenge or punishment directed to the custodial parent.
The custodial parent and his or her attorney should take precautionary measures to protect against the possibility of delinquency:
"Friend of the Court"
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This organization is a publicly supported collection system which maintains vigilance over parents who are responsible for child support payments.
(The custodial parent never needs to file a complaint of payment delinquency. The payment check is sent to the "Friend of the Court" first, and immediately distributed to the custodial parent. This has proven to be the most effective form of deterrence, as the court always has an accurate and up-to-date record of the entire support process.)
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Under this method the non-custodial parent has the legally declared monthly support payment deducted from his or her paycheck and the amount is immediately sent to the custodial parent.
(Typically, the parent will never miss what he/she actually never had, and the temptation to spend the money or refuse to make payment is eliminated. This has proven to be very effective for parents who have re-married or are cohabitating with someone new, because new spouses, boyfriends, or girlfriends have been known to disrupt the payment process for selfish purposes.)
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If one or more support payments have been missed or are overdue this system will withhold the non-custodial parent's wages or other income.
(The supporter is notified of this action, and can not be relieved of the penalty unless a formal written agreement stating an alternate arrangement exists or a reasonable explanation of delinquency is delivered.)
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Most states provide enforcement procedures that protect against delinquent payments by having the non-custodial parent post a bond or asset to secure payment when overdue.
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