Child support enforcement staff helps locate non-custodial parents and assist in establishing paternity and getting child support payments ordered by the courts. Once court orders have been established, child support payments are receipted at the Centralized Collection Operation. To enforce a court order, child support staff can initiate legal action against the nonpaying parent, withhold support payments from the nonpaying parents' wages and intercept their tax refunds.
Paternity Establishment for Children Born outside of Marriage
Establishing a legal father for a child ensures certain rights for the child, such as a greater sense of identity, access to paternal medical information, social security, death and insurance benefits and military benefits.
A child support order cannot be established for a child who is born to unmarried parents unless the alleged father acknowledges paternity or is proven to be the father. Paternity may be established by voluntary acknowledgment of paternity or by court order.
The most convenient time for parents to establish paternity for their child is in the hospital when the child is born. The father must be present and provide identification to have his name placed on the Affidavit of Parentage. When this document is filed with Vital Records, both parents' names are recorded on the birth certificate.
Genetic testing (DNA) is recommended if there are doubts regarding the paternity of the child. This test is highly accurate in determining the probability that a man is the father of a child. Blood or tissue samples may be used for testing. A popular method uses tissue swabbed from the inside of the cheek. Test results may provide peace of mind to parents establishing paternity voluntarily, or may be presented as evidence in legal proceedings to establish paternity.
If paternity is not established voluntarily, legal action may be filed with the courts. A formal complaint is served upon the alleged father, initiating court action. A court hearing is held and the court enters an order establishing paternity.
Location of Non-Custodial Parents
The noncustodial parent(s) must be located before any actions to establish paternity, establish support or enforce a child support order can take place. The primary source of information that Child Support staff uses to locate a noncustodial parent is the information given by the customer.
Information such as name, date of birth, social security number, address, employer and vehicle ownership information can assist child support staff in locating a noncustodial parent. With this type of information the Child Support Unit can access location information from both state and national computer databases to assist in location efforts.
Additional Information
Visit the Federal Child Support Enforcement Program website for more information.
If you want or need help with a child support problem, simply contact your local the Atlantic County Department of Family and Community Development, Child Support Unit.