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With all that put to the side, I thought I would lay out three of the primary ways that child support is paid in America, and the pros and cons of each approach. This may help you make decisions if you are embarking on your own journey through the land of child support.
The first method is simple: Good old-fashioned person-to-person payments, where the check is sent directly from one parent to the other. The advantage of this method is that it's simple and easy, with no processing by the state. The disadvantage is that the receiving parent has to keep records and track all payments received. It is far more difficult to enforce collection efforts in the event that you don't get what you are owed. If you take this approach, you may want to have a legal contract drawn up which includes a provision for what happens in the event that payment isn't made (i.e. wage garnishment or some other enforcement measure).
The second method of payment is wage garnishment. In this case, the money is deducted from the parent's paycheck and sent either directly to the receiving parent or to the Child Support enforcement agency. This process is a bit more complicated, since your employer has to be notified and a garnishment order must be obtained from the court. If the order is given, then the employer is legally obligated to withhold the payments.
The advantage of garnishment is that it's easier to ensure that you'll get paid this way. The disadvantage is that it may create hostilities between you and the other parent. Other disadvantages are that there are limits to how much you can garnish and you can't garnish wages if the paying parent is self-employed. Finally, if the other partner quits his/her job, that will force you to have to do the work necessary to find their new employer and begin collection efforts all over again.
The Consumer Credit Protection Act defines the rules and laws of wage garnishment. According to the law, you can only have 50% of your wages garnished if you are supporting another child, and up to 60% if you have no other children. Another 5% of your wages can be withheld if you have arrears of more than 12 weeks.
The third option for child support payment is to have the funds collected by your state child support enforcement agency. The advantage of this approach is that enforcement is easier through an agency and you don't have to keep records. Additionally, you don't have to speak to the other parent if you don't want to. The disadvantage is that the government doesn't take many excuses, so the child support order is going to be strictly enforced. This may breed some resentment from the other parent. Also, going through a government agency means that you're going to have a bit more bureaucracy to deal with.
When it comes to child support collection and enforcement, the bottom line is this: Make sure you pay child support, since your children have needs. Additionally, the penalties for non-payment can be severe. If someone owes you child support money, you should push for collection and not allow a bad parent off the hook from their responsibilities. Again, it's all about the kids having what they need. Finally, remember that money is never more important than love. Don't allow your own financial issues to keep a parent away from his/her child; children need their parents more than money.
To get assistance on your own child support collection efforts, sites like ChildSupport.com can help.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (11)
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By: Magnolia on 5/23/2010 7:13AM
As a Single-mother of a twenty year old daughter whose bio-father spend 18 years punishing me for not having an Abortion and may I add he is a Alpha-Man) - not a man at all.
My point is it is hard for any Mother to feel great about a father who shows up at her home to pick up the kids, and she cannot pay the mortgage and the father has just purchased a new White Escalade Cadillac which in six years would have cost him $73,000.00. To provide our children today with a "Quality Life" not designer clothes, etc., but a good education and materials to support that education it takes money.
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By: Southerner on 5/23/2010 7:28AM
As a Single-mother of a twenty year old daughter who is a Junior in college; I never received a dime of Child Support and the bio-father spent 18 years trying to make me suffer for not having an Abortion. If he had voiced his views on Abortion when we first met, I would have not wasted 4 years on the DOG.
As for Child Support, it's hard for a mother to kiss the ass of the father of her children, when child support hasen't been paid in a year, she afraid of losing their home, the kids have no monies for school supplies, etc., and Dad drives up to the home with a new White Cadiallic Escalade which in 6 years will cost him $73,000.00.
It's our society today which means to be happy I have to please "me" first.
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By: allnew2000 on 5/24/2010 11:52PM
All i can say is women need to make sure they are taking birth control b4 having sexual relations and they should also know the character of the men they are sleeping with....most of us men just want sex....it's biology and births are preventable....myself i would like all people to take a psychological exam b4 being allowed to have children....think about it...idiots and the unfit would not be allowed to have kids....oh, my bad, everyone seems to have the right to have kids...and then blame the man when he was only poking fun....
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By: dvine on 5/24/2010 2:40PM
@allnew2000.. poking fun is what you call it?? the man is @ fault just as much as the woman. she can use birth control and he can put on a condom. ppl always use the excuse that women should use BC or pay mind 2 who you sleep with. that is true but what about men? they should be held accountable for their actions as well. if you don't want a child wear a condom and if you don't want to wear one than mayb than you shouldn't be having sex until your ready to be responsible. children are the innocent bystanders and should not have 2 suffer because the father now doesn't want to be a part of the child's life. It's not excuse 2 abandon your child. Women are mainly the care givers for their children and it's sad that they have 2 raise them on their own, or got 2 a judge to get child support or 2 arrange visitations because the other parent is being difficult. If half these men cared about their children maybe we would have less killers, rapists, child molesters, robbers, bums, and thugs on the streets.
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By: B.P. on 5/23/2010 7:19PM
You know the saying: IF YOU PLAY, YOU'VE GOT TO PAY!!
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By: Cyn94601 on 5/24/2010 12:26AM
I think this a well articulated article. As a mother that divorced after only 5 years of marriage, my initial issues with child support were difficult.
In my experience, I found, that the more time my ex spent with our daughter, the easier it was for me to get the child support or other needed assistance.
Maybe my experience is unique, but I believe that a man has a hard time denying his child. I think we have so many deadbeats because they aren't spending time with the kids. As a mom, if you can find a way to get the children and father together, the rest will fall into place.
That attachment means that that man wants the best for HIS child and will do what's needed.
The other thing was that (and maybe this is extra) but I made it clear what the money was used for. I told my ex that I paid his daughters tuition with the money he gave me. It was the truth and I think it gave him comfort that the money was used - without exception - on his child.
My daughter is now 14 and I haven't had a problem with child support since she was 3. I think her spending time with her father had helped her, helped me and ensured that the child support issue become a non-issue.
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By: Magnolia on 5/24/2010 5:27AM
To the "Perfect Human Beings" who believe a woman should use "Birth Control" and not engage in Sexual Activity:
1) There are no Birth Control methods that are 100% effective.
2) If I have committed a "Moral Sin" I will answer to God not you.
3) People pretend to be what they are not - when you meet me, you get the real thing; I'm upfront and honest. You have heard of the term "Con-artist".
4) What about males in this County getting Vasectomies if they don't want children. They want the fun, but not the responsibility.
5) And as for my character, while pregnant, I attended Graduate School at night, worked 9-5 for the Federal Government 5 days a week, completed 3 Graduate Internships at agencies and also served in The Air National Guard once a month and two weeks a year. I also purchased my own home, never lived with a man after the birth of my daughter and worked a job and 1/2 to send my daughter to a private school. She is now a Junior in Nursing School and won a full schlorship when she completed her first two years in Oakland, Ca.
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By: tim williams on 5/24/2010 9:09PM
I personally think its time for good parents who pay child support to come together and get the laws change. I think as a non cust. parent, time spent with the kids should be taken into consideration. The reason i feel this way is because my kids spend the entire weekend with me, i love to do more things with them but i cant, due to the financial burden placed upon me. While my ex has a new car, a new baby, and new man....but the part that kills me is my kids still have to ask me for money on certain things ,she gets child support for!!! I hate telling my kids no , your mother gets money to pay for that.....This would never happen if the financial burden was 50/50, or even 60/40 between the two of us......
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By: barnetha on 5/25/2010 7:47AM
what about these children who suffer because the parent responsible for child support is in prison. I believe that there should be a program for them to work and get money sent to these children after all it's not they'er fault, if nothing else have it taken from they'er socail security benefits and even when they are released up until they find employment.Then should have to report that they are looking for work with proof as not to get over on the system.If the state can pay someone for being a foster parent they should be able to provide for these kids also after all the majority of these kids are foster children because family couldn't afford to provide for them.
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By: Thisiswhyubroke! on 5/26/2010 1:43AM
Everyone talking about the women are victims here can stop it. If guys had the opportunity to be in control of the abortion then im sure the single parent ratio in black america would shrink DRASTICALLY.
Stop having kids then tryna ruin other people's lives.
"Its time to stop paying your debts. Yes, you."
http://thisiswhyubroke.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/its-time-to-stop-paying-your-debts-yes-you-absolutely-heard-that-right/
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