Does child support have to be paid through the court?

Answer 1

This informal arrangement often comes to grief sooner or later. I urge the parents to go to court, get an order and arrangements to pay through the courts or state disbursement unit.

Another Perspective

If both parents are cooperative this arrangement can work. I have seen it work in several cases where the parents never married and stayed cordial with each other for the sake of their child. They worked out visitations, shared parenting, the father paid regular support and they managed to avoid court involvement. However, it takes an extraordinary amount of cooperation, maturity and parent's who place their child's needs above their own.

Answer 2

Your check must be submitted to the clerk of the court. In most cases though child support payments are garnished from your paycheck before you see it.

Remember too, that child support payments do not automatically stop once the child attains the age of 18. Nope ... the one paying must petition the court to have these payments stopped. If the one paying the child support is behind on their payments, say 3 or 4 years worth, they still have to pay child support until all the payments have been made, regardless of the child's age.

Answer 3

Yes. A court order should be entered to protect your rights and provide you with the court's protection if the parent stops paying.