Understanding Mecklenburg Child Support
According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, there are more than 400,000 child support cases in the state for the 2015 fiscal year. This is a large number of families seeking assistance in raising their child or children. When child support is not paid, the child suffers the most as custodial families are often left with trying to make ends meet. This problem necessitates a system for enforcing child support payments. In Mecklenburg County, Emblem Legal can assist with child support issues and provide legal advice from family law professionals.
Child Support Enforcement (CSE) refers to a national program. This program ensures that parents take on the responsibility of providing care for their child or children to the best of their ability. North Carolina’s CSE agency is under the jurisdiction of North Carolina’s Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). The CSE program is managed by the Division of Social Services (DSS). The regulations, laws, and state policies are the same, even though each county may manage the program in different ways.
CSE agents are available to help both custodial and non-custodial parents of minor children. These agents ensure that both parents of a child take on support responsibility to the best of their ability. Custodial parents can receive assistance with locating non-custodial parents. Non-custodial parents can make payments through CSE’s Centralized Collections Operation once a court order is established.
The North Carolina Child Support Enforcement (CSE) has the authority to collect current and past-due child support through enforcement remedies. CSE can use administrative or court action to secure nonpayment remedies. This reduces the need for formal court proceedings.
What if a Parent Doesn’t Pay?
The responsibility of support lasts until a child turns 18. There are some circumstances that extend or decrease this time period. If a parent does not pay the ordered child support, the court can hold this person in contempt for failure to pay. Plus, they will continue to amass past due payments as well as penalties. The North Carolina CSE tracks payment history and disburses payments. It can utilize a number of remedies for nonpayment of child support. Some of the remedies the CSE can use to collect past due payments include:
- Placing a lien on the parent’s real and personal property
- Seizure of the non-paying parent’s state and federal tax refunds, bank accounts, unemployment and disability payments
- Revoking the parent’s licenses, including driver’s, professional, business and recreational
- Filing legal actions against the parent, which can result in jail sentences
Enforcing Interstate Child Support Payments
The North Carolina CSE uses a statewide computer system called ACTS (Automated Collection and Tracking System). This system exchanges data with over 30 federal, state, and private agencies. It interacts with CSE agencies in other states and creates a case record. The system can intercept taxes, garnish wages and place liens on assets.
A positive relationship with both parents is necessary for a child’s wellbeing. If you have questions or need assistance with enforcing child support orders, Emblem Legal can help. Contact us today for a consultation.
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