Division of Child Support Enforcement

The role of the Division of Child Support Enforcement is not to be "for" or "against" either parent in child support cases. Both parties can discuss their case with workers to get information, ask questions, or present concerns they may have about their case.

Services Offered by the Division of Child Support Enforcement

The Division of Child Support Enforcement is available to provide services to families where one parent has custody of a child or children and the other parent is not living at the same location. To access these services, a parent would need to contact the Division office directly. Parents who are receiving benefits through the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program are automatically provided with services from Child Support Enforcement (CSE) personnel.

The following services are offered by all CSE offices:

Location of the Noncustodial Parent: If the custodial parent doesn't know where the custodial parent is living or working, the CSE office has resources available to help find that individual.

Paternity Testing: Either parent can ask that paternity testing be conducted. If a couple is married when a child is born, the husband is presumed to be the father. In a situation where the parents are not married, paternity must be established. A man may also voluntarily admit paternity of a child.

Collection of Support Payments: Most of the time, child support payments are made through employer deductions when the amount of child support ordered is withheld from the noncustodial parent's pay check. When child support payments are not made as ordered, a number of steps can be taken to collect the amount owed. For example:

• Seizing income tax refunds
• Placing a lien against the home of the noncustodial parent
• Selling personal property to pay the debt
• Freezing and/or seizing money on deposit in a bank account

Unpaid child support may be reported to credit bureaus and affect the noncustodial parent's credit rating and ability to qualify for a mortgage or other type of loan. He or she may be barred from getting a passport or renewing a professional license.

If a court order has been made regarding payment of health insurance coverage, then CSE will provide assistance with collection of these moneys as well.

Collection of Child Support from Out-of-State Parents: In a situation where the non-custodial parent lives in another state, the Division of Child Support Enforcement will request that the other state enforce an order for child support or commence enforcement proceedings itself. In some cases, a child support order can be enforced even if the non-custodial parent has moved to another country. Whether child support can be collected will depend on whether the non-custodial parent is living in a country that has a reciprocal agreement with the United States, however.

Services for Non-Custodial Parents

If a man is served with papers naming him as the father of a child and he is not convinced he is the father, he should contact the local CSE office immediately. Waiting to file an objection may mean that he is deemed to be the legal father. The CSE office can arrange for paternity testing to be conducted, possibly at little or no cost.

When child support payments are made, the non-custodial parent should keep detailed records of the amount paid and the date. The CSE office should be notified by the non-custodial parent if he or she moves or changes jobs.

To find your local Division of Child Support Enforcement office, please visit the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Web site.