In Arkansas, the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) enforces child support. By facilitating a stable flow of financial help from the divorced or separated parents, their children can continue to receive the support that they need to grow in a secure environment.
As you move forward with your life, it is important to gain a deeper understanding of the child support system and eliminate the common myths that surround it. Here are four FAQs about Arkansas’ child support processes:
What does the OCSE do?
The state’s OCSE stands for the Office of Child Support Enforcement. This government agency is responsible for establishing legal paternity, enforcing and updating child support orders, locating non-custodial parents, determining past due child support amounts and collecting child support payments.
Can I stop paying for child support if I lose my job?
No. Your financial responsibility for your children does not stop when you become unemployed. Since your child support is a legal order from the court, you are obligated to pay child support to the custodial parent and your children as scheduled.
If you need help from your job loss and have an open enforcement case, you can contact your local child support office or ask the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) to withhold your child support payments from your unemployment benefits. However, you need to sign an agreement first before the ADWS can proceed with this payment method.
What happens if the non-custodial parent stops paying for child support?
If your ex stops paying for child support, the OCSE can enforce other measures to collect any unpaid amount. Four of them include:
- Suspending their driver’s and/or professional licenses
- Intercepting tax refunds
- Reporting to the credit bureau
- Denial of passport
It is important to remember that refusing to pay for child support can result in negative consequences such as civil or criminal contempt charges.
What happens to my child support amount if one of my children turns 18?
If you have multiple children under your child support order and one of them turns 18, Arkansas’ law will automatically adjust your support amount to reflect the change. In this process, the support amount is recalculated based on the non-custodial parent’s current income and the latest version of the Arkansas support guidelines.
Navigating child support does not have to feel complicated
Your new life’s chapter is not just about you, but your children as well. As you move on from your divorce or separation, it is essential to gain insight into the child support processes to protect your rights and minimize the occurrence of any major roadblock along the way.