Child Support Basics in Illinois

 Posted on January 09, 2013 in Child Support

Illinois has an extensive network of agencies and departments to aid families seeking child support for children living both in and out of Illinois. To qualify for child support services, a person does NOT have to apply for or receive public assistance—taking advantage of the child support services offered by the state does not fall under the auspices of entitlement programs in any way. According to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Division of Child Support Services, the department is set up to help any family “collect the basic support your family deserves at no cost to you.” This includes (but is not limited to): establishing paternity, locating the non-custodial parent, obtaining or modifying a child support order, deducting support form unemployment insurance benefits, securing medical insurance for the children, and helping to collect past due child support. The department can set up court dates if need be, but hiring a family law attorney is up to the family. According to the Department, the best way to collect past due child support is income withholding. “The division receives daily information about employment from state and federal partners to track newly hired employees within the state.” Other ways that the division can collect support include (but are not limited to): intercepting federal and state income tax refunds and lottery winnings, placing liens on real property, freezing bank accounts, and contacting the Secretary of State to attempt to suspend an Illinois driver’s license. With all these services available to anyone, regardless of income, there’s no reason that any family seeking child support in Illinois shouldn’t be able to get what they deserve. Determining child custody, however, is something that has to be settled in court and is best done with an experienced family law attorney. If you or someone you know requires child support assistance, contact a dedicated Illinois family lawyer today. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net