Child Support Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is paternity establishment?
Answer: Paternity establishment is the legal establishment of fatherhood for a child. A child support order cannot be established for a child born to unmarried parents until the alleged father is determined to be the father. This determination may be made through an acknowledgment of paternity by the father or by involvement of a court. Genetic testing of the child, mother and alleged father may be used to determine paternity.
Question: Is health insurance coverage a type of child support?
Answer: Yes, child support may include medical support, which is a form of child support where medical or dental insurance coverage is paid by the non-custodial parent. Depending on the court order, medical support can be the parent's sole financial obligation, or it can be one of several obligations, with child and/or spousal support being the others.
Question: What types of services are not provided by child support enforcement agencies?
Answer: Generally, child support enforcement agencies do not provide help with visitation rights and custody, divorce, property settlement, spousal support establishment or modification, or child care support. The state agency will collect spousal support if it is included in an order with child support.
Question: What methods are used to collect child support payments?
Answer: Tools used by child support enforcement agencies to enforce child support orders include income withholding, reporting to credit reporting agencies, license suspension, interception of federal and state income tax refunds, passport denial, and court action.
Question: Where can families seek assistance in getting child support?
Answer: Each state has a child support enforcement agency that is responsible
for locating absent parents, establishing paternities, establishing
child support and medical support orders, and enforcing and periodically
reviewing those orders. These services are provided to households who
receive TANF and Medicaid benefits and are also available to anyone
who makes application for services. Both custodial and non-custodial
parents can apply for child support enforcement assistance. Families
needing assistance should contact their state
child support enforcement agency.
Credits
Last revised 09/15/2011
