| Myths
and Facts
"I
learned the hard way that the government goes
after non-custodial parents with more gusto
when the custodial parent and child are receiving
government assistance - the government wants
their money back. When custodial parents are
making it on their own, they are also on their
own for collecting child support. "
-
Lorraine,
Frustrated California mom
Click
here to read Lorraine’s story.
|
|
MYTH:
The government should be solely responsible for the collection
of child support.
FACT:
Less than half of all families served by the government
ever receive any of their child support.
$89
Billion in past-due child support is currently uncollected
in the United States.
Government
services are often ineffective in the toughest cases, including
many interstate enforcement cases.
Only
25 states will work cases involving emancipated children.
States
just don't have the money to invest in more effective
governmental child support enforcement.
MYTH:
By taking fees on the support collected, private agencies and
attorneys are taking money from the children who need it most.
FACT:
Parents who have been unsuccessful in collecting their
child support should have the right to hire a private
company.
The fees that parents pay to private enforcement agencies allow these companies
to give more time and attention to each case, including tough ones.
The reality is that private companies put money into the households of families
who would have otherwise received NO support. Click
here to read our congressional testimony.
MYTH:
Private agencies and attorneys take fees from the money that
the government has collected.
FACT:
The majority of parents who go to the private sector
for help have not received any child support for an average
of four years. About 90 percent have already tried to
get enforcement help from the government.
In
some cases, the government, which has been ineffective
on a case for years, suddenly begins to work for a
client only when it appears that the client has hired
outside help. This “turf” protection then
creates unnecessary confusion.
MYTH:
Private collectors are too aggressive on deadbeats.
FACT:
Deadbeats are responsible for the crisis of unpaid child
support.
If it takes repeated phone calls and intense investigations to find these deadbeats
and make them pay, that is what all child support enforcers should do.
MYTH:
Private collectors intentionally confuse clients with complex
contracts.
FACT:
Whether renting an apartment or buying a car, we all
sign contracts regularly. In all of these cases, we should
take on the responsibility of asking questions to understand
the contract.
If parents do not understand their private enforcement agencies’ contracts,
they should be sure to ask questions until they fully understand all of the
terms of the contract. |
