Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by Lori Pace
To live a happy life, children need a lot of resources. A lot of times, one person’s income is not sufficient to provide adequate care for a child. Child support laws in Arkansas ensures that each parent of a child makes financial contributions in order to provide proper care for the child. Although the amount paid varies greatly, it is enough to ensure that the child has at least somewhat better living conditions.
The Process For Child Support After Divorce
The custodial parent (or guardian) must contact the Office of Child Support Enforcement to initiate a case for child support. The $25 application opens a new case for child support. Certain custodial parents, such as those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or Transitional Employment Assistance benefits, are exempt from paying the fees. The OCSE will contact the non-custodial parents.
If necessary, a paternity test can help confirm that the father is indeed the father of the child. Once all of this has been done, a court order will be issued and a monthly payment obligation determined by the court. This is based on income and number of children. A court order may be used to establish medical support payments.
How Do You Receive Child Support in Arkansas
Arkansas custodial parents may choose to receive child support payments in either of these two ways. The US Bank ReliaCard is the first. This is a prepaid card that can be loaded with child support payments. ReliaCard doesn’t require that a parent open a bank account. Once funds have been loaded to the card, the card can be used for cash withdrawals or purchases.
Direct deposit to a bank account is another option. If the custodial parent is receiving payment, they can choose to have the money directly transferred into their checking or savings account. The parent must fill out and submit an Electronic Deposit Request. The bank may delay the funds becoming available. You’ll receive a ReliaCard if there was failure in the direct deposit payment agreement with the parent.
The Maximum Amount That Your Family Can Receive
Arkansas child support orders that are not made to the custodial parent do not require them all to pay the same amount. Several factors determines the exact amount of child support a parent must pay. The state’s child-support calculator considers details like the number of children and the monthly income of the parents (custodial or noncustodial), as well as the cost of child insurance. This calculator will give you an estimate of the child support payments to expect, find the calculator here. However, child support amounts will depend on the income of both parents. Once this has been determined, the non-custodial child pays a percentage of the total cost based on his/her percentage of parental income.
To see some sample child support calculations in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Courts page.
Enforcement of Child Support in Arkansas
The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) under the Department of Finance and Administration enforces the Arkansas‘ child support. To collect child support payments, the OCSE uses a variety of techniques. When there is default, the most common method to enforce child support payments is to withhold wages from the non-custodial parent and then deduct arrears.
Additionally, the OCSE can request suspension of licenses (driving and hunting, etc.) of the defaulting parent until they make payment. Credit reports, tax refunds, vehicle seizures, and insurance claims collection may all be possible. For defaulting on child support payments, the parent may be subject to court action. For further details, visit the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website.
However, you should know that not every states in the US enforces child support. Find the full list in our articles of “Which States in the US do not enforce child support?“
