Fulfilling Child Support Obligations

 Posted on December 16, 2016 in Child Support

Undergoing divorce can be a taxing experience for everyone involved, and adding the task of arranging child support obligations to the mix inevitably adds more pressure to both parents. Under even the most civil of circumstances, it is easy for parents to take offense to the other’s reaction to child support payments, and for the obligated parent to feel burdened by the financial strain the support order entails. Once a proper support order is established, however, there is opportunity for everything to run effectively and efficiently, so long as each party cooperates.

The parent who is granted a majority of the parenting time is usually the parent awarded child support payments. If you are a non-custodial parent responsible for making child support payments, the state of Illinois provides you the following options to ensure you are able to pay on time and in full:

Pay the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) by Mail

Unless you are directed otherwise, you are obligated to pay support via check by sending payment directly to the Illinois State Disbursement Unit. You are required to provide the following details along with your payment: Your name, social security number, case number, and the Illinois court where the order was entered.

Electronic Payments

In some cases, you may have the option to make your child support payments through electronic platforms. For example, you may register for automatic deduction and individual credit card payments through specific on-line payment services. There are processing and registration fees that apply to these payment methods, but the convenience of paying online is worth considering.

If you neglect to pay the amount you owe as agreed upon in the official child support order, you may face a number of consequences including the following:

• Suspension of driver’s license, passport, or other important credentials - The state’s child support service department has the right to initiate the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license, passport, and other important identification credentials if they have past-due accounts.
• Interception of tax refund - The state will commonly utilize this method to pursue past-due child support payments. If you received a Notice of Intent to Pursue Collection Remedies, you must make the payment immediately, by the date listed on the notice, otherwise, your tax refund will be seized and other enforcement actions will go into effect.
• Suspension of state or professional licenses - Neglecting to pay child support also places any professional or state licenses you possess at risk. This can include business and occupational licenses, as well as various professional certifications, all of which can affect your current and future employment.

If you allow your child support account to become delinquent, you may also experience liens on your property and other enforcement actions that can affect your livelihood and day-to-day life. If you are a non-custodial parent concerned about your support obligations or a custodial parent struggling to receive support payments, you need to consult with a highly skilled Kane County child support attorney. Obtain the assistance and direction you need to protect your family’s rights by calling Shaw Sanders, P.C. at 630-584-5550 for a personal consultation.

Source:

https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/ChildSupport/parents/Pages/FAQs.aspx#employer