Child Support Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions

What is child support:

The money that a parent pays to help support a child that does not live with them. The child might live with the other parent, or might live with someone else. Every child has the right to be supported by both parents.

How do I get Child Support:

A parent, custodian or the county must bring some type of legal action notice to get an order for child support, when paternity has been established.

Do I have to be the child’s parent to get child support:

NO, you do not have to be a child’s parent to get child support. If a child lives with you and depends on you for support, you may be able to get child support from either or both parents.

What does a child support order include:

  • Basic Support: Basic Support is for expenses relating to the child’s care, housing, food, clothing, and transportation.
  • Medical Support: Medical is for expenses related to health care coverage, which may include medical, dental and/or vision insurance.
  • Child care support: Child care support if for child care expenses that occur when the parent the child lives with works or goes to school.

What income is counted:

Income is not limited to wages from working. The following income can be used to pay child support also.

  • Per capita
  • Self‐Employment
  • Commissions
  • Trust Funds
  • Unemployment

What happens when a parent does not pay child support:

When your child’s otherparent does not pay the child support obligation and you have an open case, the child support agency takes action to enforce the support order. Past‐due child support remains due until arrears are paid.

What enforcement tools are used to collect child support:

Contempt of court

Can a child support order be changed:

YES, a child support order can be changed by court orders and by cost‐of‐living adjustments. Either parent may request in writing that the child support agency review their support order. The written request should state reasons for review. The child support staff will determine whether the existing order meets review requirements. If it does, they will complete the review and file a motion asking the court to modify the order. If it doesn’t meet the requirements the child support agency will notify the parents who requested the review.

How are most child support payments made:

  • Income withholding
  • Per Capita payments

When does a child support case close:

A child support case does not automatically close when a child turns 18 or emancipates. Your court order will tell you when your obligation ends. If you have child support arrears, your case may stay open until the arrears are paid in full.

What are arrears:

Arrears is a legal term for the part of a debt that is overdue after missing one or more required child support payments. The amount of the arrears is the amount accrued from the date on which the first missed payment was due.

Jurisdiction:

Please see Child Support Brochure, if any more questions please contact our office.

How can you make a difference:

We recognize that fathers and mothers are important in the lives of their children, and we encourage parents to be involved with their children’s lives whether they live with them or not. Staying involved is important even though it may not always be easy.

Any more questions please feel free to contact The Mille Lacs Band Child Support Enforcement Department.