U.S. Census Bureau Report on Child Support Collection Trends

 Posted on April 02, 2014 in Divorce

Raising children is often referred to as the most challenging (and rewarding) task with which you will ever be charged. Caring for a child can be even more difficult following a divorce, particularly if one parent does not take an active role in the process. Unfortunately, many mothers and fathers across Illinois are forced to raise children alone.

Money is often tight for single parents. Child support laws are designed to help spread the burden so that both parents contribute and act responsibly.

U.S. Population Report & Child Support Collection Trends

Unfortunately, some parents fail to meet their support obligations. Failure to pay is not an isolated problem. According to federal data, every year more than one-third of all actual support obligations are not paid. This amounts to nearly $15 billion each and every year in missing aid. Some parents receive no support at all from their former partner, while others receive some money but less than the full amount. Analysis suggests that less than half of parents actually pay their full obligation each year.

One interesting aspect to the payment of child support that was gleaned from a recent U.S. population report relates to the role of parent contact. The U.S. Census Bureau explained that  there is a strong correlation between the amount of contact that a noncustodial parent has with a child and the chance that the parent will meet their full support obligations. Those parents who had joint physical or legal custody were most likely to pay in full. This is a logical result, as parents who remain close with their children are willing to do whatever it takes to provide the child with the financial support they need.

The survey found a few other factors that also tracked with child support delinquency. Those include:

Education level: Parents with at least a bachelor’s degree were more likely to provide support. Nearly half of all parents with a four-year degree met their obligation in full. Conversely, only 36 percent of those without a high school diploma were up-to-date with payments

Age: The younger the parent, the more likely they are to be delinquent. Slightly more than one-third of those under 30 years old made their payments. Nearly half of those over 40 years old were able to pay in full.

The roles of age and education follow predictable trends. Those with more education are more likely to have higher paying, stable jobs. Similarly, older individuals are more frequently in stable financial situations, and have less incentive to underpay. Contact a Child Support Attorney When going through a separation with your co-parent, it is critical that child support details are handled properly. An attorney can ensure that this obligation is built into a divorce decree. In addition, outside of a divorce, a lawyer can help you work through the court system to help you receive the full and fair support that your children need. Contact Goostree Law Group for help with these matters throughout the suburbs, including Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, and elsewhere.