Child support in each state of America follows its own laws. Although these laws are slightly different, they share one thing in common, that every non-custodial parent must provide financial support and health benefits for their child/children. Financial support helps in many ways. First, when the mother/father is struggling and unable to provide 100% for their young ones, the child support payments will provide the extra cash to help cover any expenses. Expenses such as food, utility bills, medical, and clothes. A single parent raising children can be tough, that is why it is important to have child support paid by the non-custodial parent. Health coverage can also be very expensive, especially for children. Having good medical coverage can help offset those expenses. Many states in America have laws that make it mandatory for a non-custodial parent to provide medical support for their children.
Child Support Laws and Enforcement
Some parents who are ordered to pay child support often avoid their obligations. These parents are what we call dead beat parents. Most dead beat parents do not pay child support for the reason just to spite the custodial parent. Some may be too lazy to get a job, others may be too selfish to dish out the money to pay for their responsibilities. Who knows why some parents will not take the responsibilities of paying their child support dues? Fortunately, there are laws that prosecute parents who avoid paying child support. In most states in America, you can find a child support enforcement office that will provide assistance in enforcing non-custodial parents to pay past-due child support. Some methods of enforcing child support laws are garnishment of the wages, interception of tax refund checks, suspensions of driver’s license, and jail time.
Establishing paternity
When a mother has a child, and she is married, then the father is legally obligated to pay child support if they divorce. When a mother has a child outside of marriage in order for her to file for child support she must first establish paternity. Establishing paternity makes the non-custodial father legally obligated to the responsibilities of child support. If at anytime the alleged father doubts that the child is his, a genetic test would be performed to discover once and for all who the father is. Locating a missing parent can be difficult, especially if they live in another state. Sometimes tracking the social security number of the missing parent will help to pinpoint their location. Usually, when the missing parent applies for a new job, their social security can be traced back to their location. In order to establish paternity, the custodial parent must first locate the father.
