Child Support

Salary, wages, overtime, commissions, tips, bonuses, net rental income, self-employment income, interest, dividends and royalty income. Also, severance pay, retirement and pensions, income from trusts, annuities, social security benefits, capital gains, unemployment, disability and worker’s compensation, gifts, prizes, spousal maintenance and alimony.

Return of capital, accounts receivable, payments for federal public assistance programs, payments for foster care.

Yes.

Yes. If you have no income, the child support is based on 40 hours per week at minimum wage. If it is not paid, each time you miss a payment you owe more due to interest charged.

Yes.

It may not be fair, but the child support guidelines are

Child support is due on the 1^st of the month but is not late until the last day of that same month.

You should never use cash for child support unless you get him/her to sign an Affidavit of Payment of Child Support. You need to keep that in case you have to prove that you paid your child support. Also, money orders need to be saved for proof, as well as bank statements showing payment by check or direct deposit.

The best way is what is the most convenient and foolproof method for you. Payment methods are:

• Pay via credit or debit card using Smart e-Pay, Moneygram or a TouchPay kiosk (fees apply).
• Pay via check to the State Disbursement unit (no fees).
• Pay with cash or money order at a TouchPay kiosk (fees apply)
• Pay via Withholding Order from your paycheck (no fees).
• Pay via autodraft from your checking account using Smart e-Pay (no fee).

If you forget to pay on time, then make the payment as soon as you can. That’s why it is important for you to use the most efficient method for your situation.

If you had reason to know you were a father, then it is possible to owe retroactive child support.

Probably not. If you are able to prove that you are not the biological father, then future child support may be abated.

You can be sued to enforce the child support, as well as the arrears. You can lose your driver’s license as well as professional licenses. You may be unable to get a new passport or renew the one you have. The Office of the Attorney General may file liens on real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance plans, personal injury or insurance settlements or awards. They also report your child support status to credit bureaus. If you are lucky and win a lottery, they can intercept the payment. And any tax refund you are expecting may be intercepted and paid as support.

Yes. You are eligible if the order is more than 3 years old or if there is a 20% or $100 difference in what you should be paying. You also can make a request if a material and substantial changes in circumstances have occurred.

Your income has increased or decreased. If the parent paying child support has additional children or if the medical insurance coverage has changed. Also, if the child/children are now living with a different parent.

No. Bankruptcy might help you afford your child support if you have a lot of debt, but you still owe the child support.