National Deadbeat Dad List

From LoveToKnow Divorce

The National Deadbeat Dad List resulted from two federal acts, the Child Support Recovery Act (CSRA) of 1992 and the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1998. If you are a custodial parent not receiving child support from your child(ren)'s non-custodial parent, read on for information on how to get him or her on the list. If you are the non-custodial parent, keep reading as well to find out if you are at risk for making it onto the list.

Read this to find out about the National Deadbeat Dad List.

The National Deadbeat Dad List

In 1992, the federal government passed the Child Support Recovery Act (CSRA) to help enforce court ordered child support payments. However, the enforcement only consisted of misdemeanor penalties, which didn't pose a great deal of threat to child support payment evaders.

In 1998, President Bill Clinton passed Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act. With this Act, individuals who flee to another state or country intending to evade child support payments may face felony punishment. These individual must be delinquent in payments for one year or owe more than $5,000.

For conviction, there needs to be proof that the parent meets the following criteria:

Delinquent payments over a year or the amount owed greater than $5,000, when child and non-custodial parent live in two different states
Non-custodial parent was able to pay
Intentionally did not pay

The Other Meaning of Deadbeat Dad

Many people think of child support when they think of deadbeat dad, however, these dads also may classify as deadbeat if they refuse to care adequately for their children. This means that if a dad abuses or neglects his children and does not provide them with the tools in life to nurture them to grow and develop into responsible individuals.

Help for Victims of Child Support Evaders

If you are battling with delinquent child support, there is help for you and your child(ren). The first thing you want to do is contact child support enforcement in your state.

The next thing you should do is join some support groups. Support groups are great for venting your frustrations and learning more about the ways you can deal with this situation. Listening to people's personal stories and sharing your own can comfort you and help you feel less alone in this fight.

If you would rather receive support online, there are many websites dedicated to providing support to custodial parents.

Information for Child Support Evaders

If you fear you will end up on the National Deadbeat Dad's List there are some things you need to know. Many people run from child support and get away with it for years. However, it does catch up with them; they are located, arrested, and sent to prison. Read the following news stories about deadbeat dads caught and punished:

Getting Help

You don't have to run from the law if you have the inability to pay child support. You need to make this information known and work with the court system in trying to find a way to provide as much as possible. There are counselors available that can help you budget the money you have left over each month after paying your support to your children. Child support may not be something you want to deal with for the next several years but a prison sentence will last much longer than that. Fulfill your duties as a father and take care of your children; your freedom depends on it..

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