Child Support Facts

If you are not receiving your child support, it is important for you to understand your rights as a custodial parent. Child support is a responsibility and an obligation, not something that should be dismissed or ignored by the non-custodial parent. Here are some basic facts you should know.

Child support - who's involved

Enforcement

The government or private agency responsible for collecting child support payments from the non-custodial parent by enforcing the terms of a court order. The goal of the enforcement agency is to make sure that the financial responsibility of raising children is shared.

Custodial Parent (CP)	Non Custodial Parent (NCP)
The custodial parent, referred to as the CP, is the parent or guardian who has physical custody of the children as described on a court order, such as a divorce decree. Child support is ordered to be paid to the CP, usually on a weekly or monthly basis. The custodial parent is the client of Supportkids.	The non-custodial parent, referred to as the NCP, is the person who is ordered to pay child support for his/her children. Unpaid child support is considered a debt which can accrue interest. Supportkids collects child support payments from the non-custodial parent.
Children	Court Order
The children are the ones for whom child support is owed. They are listed on the court document that establishes the obligation of the NCP to pay child support to the CP. Supportkids works on behalf of the custodial parent to ensure that the children have the financial support of both parents. Unpaid child support can be collected even if the children are emancipated.	The court order is a document issued by a court and signed by a judge, or other official, ordering the NCP to make periodic child support payments. The order specifies the amount and frequency with which payments should be made. A court order must be established in order for Supportkids to work on a child support case.

Child support - facts & impacts

Fact	Impact
Over $106 billion is owed to custodial parents nationwide.	A tremendous burden is placed upon state and federal child support agencies. Budget restrictions often prevent agencies from growing to meet the ever-increasing need. Cases do not receive the individualized attention they require.
Each year only about 7% of the total unpaid child support is actually collected.	Some non-custodial parents reliably make their payments as ordered. Unfortunately, many others do not, which places undue burden on the custodial parent, who must shoulder the costs of raising a child alone.
According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 25% of custodial parents who are not receiving the child support to which they are entitled live below the poverty line.	Many custodial parents work multiple jobs or receive cash assistance from the government in order to provide for their child or children.
The magnitude of the unpaid child support is so large that a single entity cannot tackle the problem on its own.	Several options are available for enforcing your child support payments: Work with a private child support enforcement company, like Supportkids Hire an attorney Ask your local, county or state government child support enforcement office for assistance
The purpose of child support is to ensure that the custodial parent and non-custodial parent share the financial responsibility of raising a child or children.	Every time you purchase school supplies or buy groceries, you are paying child support. The non-custodial parent should help by paying his/her child support as well. When the responsibility is not shared, the children suffer. Too often, the emotions surrounding this issue cloud what is truly important: the support of the child or children involved.