Child support in each state of America follows its own laws. Although, these laws are slightly different, they share one thing in common, that every non-custodial parent must provide financial support and health benefits for their child/children. Financial support helps in many ways.
First, when the mother/father are struggling and unable to provide 100% for their young ones, the child support payments will provide them extra cash to help cover any expenses. Expenses such as food, utility bills, medical, and clothes. Single parent raising children can be tough, that is why it is important to have child support paid by the non-custodial parent. Health coverage can also be very expensive, especially for children. Having good medial coverage can help offset those expenses. Many states in America have laws that make it mandatory for a non-custodial parent to provide medical support for their children.
Child Support Laws and Enforcement
Some parents who are ordered to pay child support often avoid their obligations. These parents are what we call dead beat parents. Most dead beat parents do not pay child support for reason just to spite the custodial parent. Some may be too lazy to get a job, others may be too selfish to dish out the money to pay for their responsibilities. Who know why some parent will not take the responsibilities of paying their child support dues? Fortunately, there are laws which prosecutes parents who avoid paying child support. In most states in America you can find a child support enforcement office which will provide assistances in enforcing non-custodial parents to pay past due child support. Some methods of enforcing child support laws are garnishment of the wages, interception of tax refund checks, suspensions of drivers license, and jail time.
Establishing paternity
When a mother has a child and she is married, then the father is legally obligated to pay child support if they divorce. When a mother has a child outside of marriage in order for her to file for child support she must first establish paternity. Establishing paternity makes the non-custodial father legally obligated to the responsibilities of child support. If at anytime the alleged father doubts that the child is his, a genetic test would be performed to discover once and for all who the father is. Locating a missing parent can be difficult, especially if they live in another state. Sometimes tracking the social security number of the missing parent will help to pin point their location. Usually when the missing parent applies for a new job, their social security can be trace back to their location. In order to establish paternity, the custodial parent must first locate the father.
California's child support agency is administered through the Department of Child Support Services. This agency can help both custodial and non-custodial parents with a number of child support related services such as establishing paternity, locating a non-custodial parent, establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders, and collecting and distributing child support payments.
Establishing Paternity for California child support laws
Your child's paternity must be established before child support can be ordered. Establishing legal paternity gives your child many rights, including child support, access to medical records, government benefits and more.
There are several methods you can use to establish the paternity of your child. The simplest method for establishing paternity is to complete a Paternity Opportunity Program Declaration. This form must be filled out and signed by both parents to establish paternity without going to court. If necessary, California's child support agency can assist you in establishing the paternity of your child by helping you get free or low-cost genetic testing when the child's father is in question.
If the child's father lives in another state, California's child support agency can work with the other state's agencies to obtain genetic testing, establish a child support order and enforce child support payments.
Paying California child support laws
Once a child support order has been established, the non-custodial parent will generally be required to continue making payments until the minor child emancipates or until otherwise noted in the child support order. Under California law, a parent's obligation to pay support continues until the child becomes eighteen years of age. Under certain circumstances (if the child is unmarried and attending high school full time), the current support obligation may continue until the child is nineteen.
Modifying California child support laws
In order to modify a child support order, you must contact your local child support agency to request a modification of the child support order and then cooperate in the review process by providing the requested financial and visitation information.
You can also request the modification of a child support order by filing a motion directly with the court. Contact the Family Law Facilitator's office in your county of residence for help in filing the motion. See below for a complete list of Family Law Facilitators.
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