Child Support Laws? [Specifically USA: AR?]

I always understood that if you got state mandated child support, you would get it even if the non-custodial parent wouldn't pay. I thought that the government paid it at that point and that either wages were garnished or that, in the event that they don't have a job, the non-custodial parent would be sent to jail.

I went to my CS office the other day and was asking about my case. She said something along the lines of "If he doesn't respond to the summons in a few weeks and deny paternity, we'll just set him up to pay." I asked what would happen if he didn't pay it, and she said "Oh, well, we garnish the wages." I said "Well, he doesn't work. He won't work. I guarantee he doesn't have a job right now." and she said "Well, there's nothing we can do then."

"...seriously? There's nothing you can do? Then why am I even signing up for this? I've had this case open for six months and now you're telling me there's nothing you can do? He gets away without having to do anything for his child?"

"Well, ma'am, if he doesn't pay he'll lose his driver's license."

"So you're telling me that if he doesn't pay for his daughter, he'll lose the main thing that will help him get a job if he ever decides to get one? Just how in the HELL does that help her?"

She said she didn't know and closed the window on me.

Someone tell me this isn't right, please. =[

If he doesnt pay, he will eventually have a warrant for his arrest for failure to pay and yes, his license will be suspended.
Then when he goes to jail, his bond will be whatever he owes in child support. When he is bonded out, the state takes that money and sends it to you.

yup if he doesn't pay he loses his license and he can go to jail in some states if it gets bad enough but that doesn't happen very often I don't think. You'd reaaaallly have to be behind. My POAS BIL was 100k behind and didn't lose anything or go to jail they just took his tax return

Sounds about right. In some cases I have heard of deadbeat dads going to jail and having to turn over what little they earn doing work inside. But yeah if he doesn't have a job and doesn't pay, they pretty much don't do crap.

Ugggghh. That's ridiculous. Him being in jail or not having a license doesn't do jack smurf in when it comes to supporting his baby. This literally doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm really stupid with child support laws on the whole. I've never been through this or talked to someone going through this, so the news is a little hard to take.

He won't give her money or even ask to see her, but when I asked him if he just wanted to sign off his paternal rights so he wouldn't have to deal with it, he said "No, I don't want to look like a bad father."

 

Quoting Chroma Hex [+1]:" I always understood that if you got state mandated child support, you would get it even if the non-custodial ... [snip!] ... HELL does that help her?" She said she didn't know and closed the window on me. Someone tell me this isn't right, please. =["

It is right. It isn't the states job to pay you and then track him down. If they did that, they would never have any money. You can take his tax returns too. If he works a few jobs here and there just long enough to make some cash then quit before you find him, he will file taxes for the return. You just have to be quick.

I seriously feel like a dumbass now. I obvs have no idea how this system works!

When my husband got medically discharged from the army, we paid his ex wife child support til we couldnt anymore.
The state paid her, so it depends on your state. My state wont pay you. Hers did. We caught up when we got income taxes and sent her a $5000 check.

My sister and her BD live in my state and he has been to jail. His mom paid his 2k bond and a week later, my sister had a 2k check in the mail from child support.

Dd's sperm donor was behind and his child suppport is $525/month. For a while I was getting $900. Do you think he did that out of the goodness of his heart? No. It was court ordered. That was coming from TX.

Why would the government pay?? Not their responsibility. I have 2 children and I don't get child support for either of them. Suck it up and support your child on your own.

Quoting Thread Killa:" Why would the government pay?? Not their responsibility. I have 2 children and I don't get child support for either of them. Suck it up and support your child on your own."

I literally didn't know any better. There's no need to be so smurfing rude. You don't know me or my current situation, so please, take this smurf elsewhere.

Quoting Chroma Hex [+1]:" I literally didn't know any better. There's no need to be so smurfing rude. You don't know me or my current situation, so please, take this smurf elsewhere."

haha please you thought that was rude?? Must not have been here long.

Quoting Thread Killa:" Why would the government pay?? Not their responsibility. I have 2 children and I don't get child support for either of them. Suck it up and support your child on your own."

You are lacking on the details as to why she cant work. Kind of rude to jump into a conversation and not know any background details then get lippy.

Quoting Thread Killa:" Why would the government pay?? Not their responsibility. I have 2 children and I don't get child support for either of them. Suck it up and support your child on your own."

This is so bitchy, it's unbelievable. You have two kids and don't get child support. Good for you, you poor little martyr.

a little 411...some states do pay when the mother doesnt get child support. just ask my husbands ex wife.

Quoting Thread Killa:" haha please you thought that was rude?? Must not have been here long."

Rude is rude, I don't care what standards you're holding yourself to. You're a real piece of work if you think the way you're speaking to a person you know nothing about is okay.