SOCIAL PROBLEM: CHILD SUPPORT AND THE NON-PAYING PARENT.
Child support impacts parents, children, and society, especially when it is not paid to the custodial parent. It affects society because we must provide programs to enforce child support and provide public assistance programs to provide income for the custodial parent and the child. Families feel the impact when the custodial parent may have to work long hours or take extra jobs to support the family. The child is affected when the non-paying parent does not spend time with the child because of not paying they may be embarrassed, ashamed or may not be permitted to see the child until payment is made in full. The child also loses time with the other parent when they have to work. One of the primary reasons for nonpayment of child support is because of the income level of the non-custodial parent. A second reason for nonpayment could be the relationship between both parents.
In most cases, child support is determined by a court order during divorce hearings. It is also possible for unmarried couples to go to court to settle this, or the custodial parent may contact the Child Support Enforcement Agency or, if they can afford it, a lawyer. A court order doesn't mean that the support always gets paid but if the parent is already registered with the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) they can notify them and they can attempt to collect on past due amounts. When support is established through the CSEA support is only required to be paid from the date of establishment, not since the separation of the parents. To obtain child support from the time of separation of the parents the custodial parent may have to hire a lawyer, but most are unable to afford the costs. The date of establishment is when the non-paying parent is located and legally and officially notified of support obligation. The CSEA first choice is to garnish the wages of the non-paying parent if they are employed.