By Detra Davis

You cannot count on case workers or case managers to do what is your responsibility. They are overworked, underpaid, wrapped in a sea of paperwork, antiquated computer programs, and red tape that barely allows them to move from point 'A' to point 'B'. So whats a parent to do?

Keep your own records. When it comes to dealing with courts and child support, its all a matter of record. Document, document, document everything. If you speak to a worker, your attorneys, the non-custodial parent, document it.

A blunt piece of advice for those who are contemplating a separation or divorce; even if you think your relationship appears to be on rocky ground and children are involved; start collecting information. This is advice for both men and women. Dont fool yourself gentlemen; you too can become a custodial parent seeking child support from your partner. It may not be the norm, but it is a reality. Dont sneak around, and dont feel as though you are going behind someones back. You have to do what is in the best interest of your children and yourself. Begin collecting bank account numbers, list of licenses, locations of stock/bond papers, money markets and past work/address history. Gather as much as you can.

Keep impeccable records. Write the names, addresses, phone and fax numbers to everyone you talk to concerning your child support case. Keep a photo of the parent in question. Remember, it is all a matter of record. You must hold people accountable and this is one way to do it. Dont ever be afraid to ask a judge or referee, attorney or the child support worker of your case who they report to at the end of the day. This will send a clear message that they will be held accountable for every word that comes out of their mouth so it better be in your best interest.

Parents who were married at the time of conception may not have an issue filing for a child support order and often times your divorce attorney will cover this matter in your initial interview. However if the parents are not married, establishing paternity is essential if you expect to receive child support. Paternity means fatherhood. Establishing paternity provides the child with a legal father.

Child support equals survival. Break-ups are never easy for the parents or the children. It often means that the emotional and financial standard of living for all parties will suffer. Parents must understand that child support is paid for the well being of the child and the parent caring for that child.

Money is a powerful tool in this society and can be used as a weapon when it comes to child support. The duty to pay child support and the right to visit are two different issues. They are not connected in the law. In the eyes of the court the child is entitled to contact with both parents. If non-support is an issue, begin documenting the visitation and during your next visit with the judge or referee mention the fact that support has stopped. If you dont have an upcoming court visit, write the judge or referee assigned to your case. You can also inform your child support worker if you have one assigned, but write the judge and request a hearing to address the matter immediately.

There is power in the pen, or in the keyboard, depending on how you choose to communicate with the people associated with your child support case. Always, always leave a paper trail. If you send a letter, ask the postal worker to give you a confirmation, it will at least let you know when the letter has arrived.

Calling child support workers or trying to get in touch with 'Friend of the Court' staff is as impossible as wining the 'mega millions lottery.' Parents must continue to write or, drop off letters to their workers/judges, and get the name of the person you leave the letter with, along with a phone number, This is great advice for any situation, if you think someone is giving you a bogus phone number, use your cell phone or a pay phone and call the number before you leave the location. If the number is not valid go back, ask to speak to a supervisor and let them know; and take the information to court with you so it can become part of the court record. If you truly have a problem getting child support issues addressed, write your legislators and your governor, weekly if needed. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, and nothing ventured, nothing gained.

DETRA D. DAVIS is a writer with more than 20 years experience in business-to-business, business-to-consumer copywriting. She creates instructional, operational and how to manuals for business and industry, currently working with J. Davis & Associates, Visit her website at http://www.supportingourchildren.com

By John Layton

The whole child support system relies on the obligation of one parent to support the child even if he or she isnt part of a couple any more and the child isnt living with both of the parties involved. When a split is involved the non custodian parent gains visitation rights and must also pay a fixed amount of money for the purpose of raising the child. Both parents must participate in their child development and the usage of money for that purpose is strictly tied to both parents, in such a manner that if one doesnt pay for child care the other doesnt too.

Different countries deal with this fact in different ways, whereas in some countries the court decides the sums of money and the arrangements in others the parents directly discuss the matter and solve all of the aspects involved between them, not involving any form of law or court.

Problems might occur when setting the ums of money involved because many of the parents cannot simply pay the amounts of money that have been settled in court. These are usually men and are called 'deadbeats' and there are a lot of non custodial parents that refuse to pay child support for various reasons: unable to pay due to the lack of money, claims that the money isnt spent properly, denial of parenthood or the simple refusal to pay. Punishments have been issued for these cases and in most countries that punishment involves suspending an important legal document of the parent ( driver license, ID card…and so on ) ,and can go as far as retracting rights, huge fines, the deduction of money from salaries , tax increase and even jail.

Many people in the world owe a lot to the child support agencies and many try to elude the grip of the law but new and more effective methods are devised to catch these people, although many of them have claimed that the practice of forcefully detracting money from bank accounts and salaries is immoral and unconstitutional.

Like any other depth if the custodial parent chooses to forgive the depth that the other part has the debt goes directly to the state where it can be overlooked to, which is the case most times custodial parents choose to do this. Unfortunately many non custodial parents get used o this practice and completely ignore child support.

TigerShopping ResourceTiger ShoppingHawk ShoppingStuff YourShoppingBlog

By John White

In many cases, children are in need of more than monetary support, though. They are quite often experiencing the fact that their other parent has left them, even if it is only temporary. The fact that that parent is not in the same home with them any longer is quite traumatic and can be very life changing to them. In this case, it is essential for their well being that that parent makes a good deal of effort to provide the support the child needs.

Support in this form can come in many things. First of all, the parent that is living with them should provide the child with the ability to see their other parent. Now, when there are concerns about the safety of the child, this is a completely different case. Yet, in most cases, this is not the case. The parent then should provide them with ample ways to communicate and welcome their other parent into their life.

This many include conversations over the phone and in email. One great way for this to work is through the internet process of web cams. They can see and hear their parent which makes them really feel as if they are there for them. It is also important that the parent living with the child to never say negative things about the other in front of the child, no matter how harsh the settlement is.

Child support should also come in the forms of counseling. Many parents notice changes in their child when there is divorce or separation. Many blame themselves and many more will worry about this endlessly. It is essential for both parents to play a role in supporting their child in a positive way throughout the entire process. If they seem to need to an outlet and it is about the situation, it may not be wise to talk to the parents. The child may want someone else to help them. In this case, seeking the help of a professional can really make a difference.

View more articles from childrenstreet.com

John White, the webmaster of childrenstreet.com, is a part of the Sharing Information Group that provides useful information to the public through the syndication of free articles.

By Howard Iken

There are three things you can count on as a divorced parent: death, taxes, and child support. If you are the custodial parent of your children, support is in the form of buying clothes, food, medicine, and the ten thousand other items children need. If you are the non-custodial parent, child support is in the form of cash. And with the latest web of laws in each state, the payment of child support is something you can count on paying.

In the not-too-distant past, rumors of deadbeat parents were common. Most people have heard tales from friends, family, or relatives about a mother or father that got away without paying support. Even in cases where child support was ordered by a divorce court, the parent simply escaped the obligation by moving to another state. Eventually, some went to jail. Some ended up paying. But a significant number of deadbeat parents never paid a dime in child support.

In 1975, the Federal Government entered the child support picture. Lawmakers created a Federal/State partnership that would facilitate the collection of child support. Part D, Title IV of the Social Security Act was created to encourage and fund state programs for the collection of child support. The program is administered by the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, part of the Dept. of Health and Human Services.

The most visible effect of the federal program is the designation of child support enforcement agencies in each state. They are referred to as Title IV-D agencies, named after the federal statute created in 1975. Each state has a Title IV-D agency but the specific state agency that takes on this responsibility is different in each state. In Florida, the Florida Department of Revenue was declared the Title IV-D agency. To accomplish their goals, the Florida Dept. of Revenue opened up a child support enforcement branch, dedicated to carrying out the federal mandate.

The Florida Dept. of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division initiates a new case upon the occurrence of one of several triggering events. The most common event is when a single or separated parent applies for state Medicaid benefits for their child. It could be subsidized food, medicine, housing, or other misc. benefits. When the parent first applies, they are required to sign a form authorizing the state to initiate child support proceedings. The public policy behind this mechanism is to minimize taxpayer support for children and to place child support responsibility where it belongs - on the mother and father of the child. After a parent applies for benefits, it is only a short matter of time before the Title IV-D agency initiates a child support lawsuit against the non-custodial parent.

Each state has a similar Title IV-D agency that establishes, collects, and enforces child support. The underlying federal law that authorizes the state agencies also requires nationwide coordination of child support efforts. The bottom line: an order for child support in Florida will be enforce by Ohio, California, New York, or any other state where the parent resides. The name of the specific agency is different in every state but the purpose is the same: to collect child support for the custodial parent. The enforcement options can be harsh on a parent who refuses to pay. 'The Long Arm of the Law' is a well-named term for child support enforcement. Parents who get behind on child support can face the following sanctions: suspension of driver license, suspension of professional and trade licenses, forced sale of personal assets, and imprisonment. Frequently, a seriously delinquent payer of child support is sent to jail by the courts.

The system is efficient, wide reaching, and inevitable. The states have an efficient method for coordinating efforts and the parent who moves across the country can no longer avoid child support obligations. But like many laws, the web of rules, requirements, and harsh penalties ultimately benefit society. In this case the people who benefit are deserving: children of single parent households. Death and taxes are not longer the only inevitable thing in life. Now, parents in every state of the US can count on doing the right thing: paying child support to their children.

Divorce Attorney Howard Iken has a rapidly growing divorce practice in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. He can be reached at 1-888-469-3486. Information on child support can be found at http://www.18884mydivorce.com/pub/Child-support/Child-support-menu.htm More information about divorce can be viewed at http://www.18884mydivorce.com