"Missouri must collect more child support; State can take steps to cut delinquencies"

Kansas City Star
November 24, 2002

Missouri needs to do a much better job of collecting child-support payments. Custodial parents in divorce cases depend on the regular checks to pay for their children's clothing, food, shelter and school supplies. If the checks do not arrive, children are harmed.

Unfortunately, Missouri has not used its enforcement authority to collect as much as it should from parents who don't pay. State Auditor Claire McCaskill says that her office found that for five years ending in 2001, Missouri failed to collect about $1 billion in child-support payments. This is a troubling number, and the state should take all the steps it can to cut the delinquencies.

Although Missouri's computerized system in recent years has helped to increase collections, the success rate should be much higher. Missouri's 20 percent collection rate compares with 17 percent nationally. Both are dismal.

McCaskill has it right when she says "the national average stinks" and Missouri should do a whole lot better than that.

The state auditor offered these suggestions, using existing enforcement laws:

Suspend driver's licenses of delinquent payers. McCaskill found the state Division of Child Support Enforcement did not regularly use this tactic even though it produces results when used.

Suspend the licenses of professionals such as lawyers and doctors. Auditors found nine professionally licensed parents who owed $1.2 million in support.

Suspend recreational licenses such as hunting and fishing permits.

Use income tax information about addresses and employment to locate delinquent parents.

Make better use of private contractors to increase collections.

Often single parents cannot adequately provide for the children in their home. Statistics show that these children are at greater risk for social and educational problems. The state must do everything it can to force both parents to help provide for their children.