Child Support Made Easy

Book excerpt: The laws of all states provide that every parent has a legal duty to support his or her child. This is true whether the parents are married or not and whether the child lives with them or not. However, getting an order for child support and having that order enforced are totally different issues-ask any parent who has returned to court, repeatedly, in order to be able to take care of his or her child. This updated edition explains in detail what the child support order is and what it is not. It discusses legal measures that can be taken to collect child support; gives clear direction for anyone interested in changing the child support order; and, finally, addresses the termination of support. Various problems like kidnapping, abuse, visitation problems and a parent living in another state are also discussed. Appendices identify state-by-state child support laws, child enforcement agencies and additional resources for further assistance in pursuing child support.