How to Get Back Child Support Payments in Broward County Florida

For custodial parents it is often the most difficult to get back child support from the non-custodial parent in a break up, but there are some things that will make it more likely that you can collect child support payments that are in arrears. Child support laws and child support guidelines may vary by state and even county, so when it comes to child support lawyers or child support attorneys, you may have different rules for dealing with child support collection. Check your individual state for rules and child support collection services.

Instructions

1. Application for Child Support
   In order get back child support, you will first need to have an open case with the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) which is responsible for child support collection cases in Broward County, Florida. You will need to apply for services at the DOR in order to receive child support payments and collect back child support payments

2. State Assistance and Child Support
   If you receive Medicaid or Foodstamps you will asked for the non-custodial parents information so that they might be pursued for child support action. this is an attempt to help the custodial parent become self sufficient by obtaining child support payments from the delinquent parent. If you receive these services you do not need to put in an application to receive back child support payments because the child support agency will do this for you.

3. Child Support Collection Services
   Once you have put in an application it will take anywhere from 6 months to a year to see any action on the case. If the non-custodial parent has a job that allows them to work under the table, or they change employers frequently, it will be more difficult to get back child support. You use child support collection services to ensure that when they are caught, they either make child support payments, or suffer the consequences.

4. Using Your Detective Skills
   If the non-custodial parent changes jobs frequently and you cannot find them, try to wait until they call. Speak to them civilly and allow them to talk to their child. Try to *69 the phone number when they hang up to get the number from which they called. If you do not get it the first time, be civil each time they call, and attempt to get the number. They will eventually slip up. Once you get the number, do a reverse phone number search in order to obtain their address

5. Call the Child Support Agency
   Once you have the phone number, call the child support agency to let them know you have a phone number and an address. They will send a letter to the address to verify that the non-custodial parent is living there. Once the address if verified they can take necessary steps to get back child support.

6. Open Your Eyes
   Keep an eye out around town. If you know where your ex used to hang out, check in once in awhile on weekends in particular. Just keep your distance. If there is a warrant out for the delinquent non-custodial parent call the police from your cell phone when you see them and stay close so that you can have them arrested. I know this seems harsh, but sometimes they need a wakeup call to begin paying child support.

7. Support Network
   If your child's parent never calls, ask old friends that you had in common if they have heard or seen them. Go to old jobsite as well and put the word out that you need to talk to your ex. If you know the non-custodial parents family, let them know the situation as well. This may cause some tension and lead to the delinquent parent paying their child support debt.

8. Child Support Court Case
   When the delinquent parent is called to court, make sure you are there as well. Be sure you have written down what you are going to say so that the delinquent parent does not get a slap on the wrist for their non-payment of child support. Be rational and factual, but do let the courts know you are suffering due to the delinquency. Do not let the judge tell you not to speak, and do not let the lawyers do all of the talking unless you have been getting good results in collecting child support. You have to be proactive to get back child support payments.

9. Guilt Trip for Delinquent Parent
   If you obtain their address, and the phone number belongs to someone else, call that person, and tell them in civil terms about the problems you are having obtaining child support, and how difficult it is for you to survive without this money. If nothing else, this will cause them to rethink the non-custodial parents friendship and possibly cause them to put pressure on them to pay.

10. The Child Support Agency
    Physically visit the Child Support Agency at least once a month, and call them every two weeks or so to find out information or to ask for enforcement measures. You cannot ask for enforcement measure over the phone, but if you go in person, they will be more likely to rush child support enforcement measure like putting out warrants for the delinquent parents arrest. If you want to get back child support, encourage all enforcement measures. No-one wants to go to jail and this may be a real deterrent to the non-custodial parent in maintaining delinquent status. Look in Resources below for a direct link to the Florida Department of Revenue website where you can obtain additional information on child support collection services and begin to get back child support payments as soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• State Disbursement Unit 1-877-769-0251 Child Support Enforcement Agency-Broward County 1-800-622-KIDS (5437) Broward County Child Support Office: 1900 W. Commercial Blvd, Suite 190, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309

Resources

• Florida Department of Revenue