Child Support Amnesty Programs Offer Hope to Families Across Ohio

Thousands of Ohio families are suffering because they are not receiving the child support they are owed. These parents struggle to pay medical bills, buy school supplies and even put food on the table. On the other side of the spectrum are the people who owe thousands of dollars in back support. These delinquent parents frequently come under fire from their former spouses, debt collectors and even law enforcement agencies. Overdue child support can cause debtors to land in jail, experience wage garnishments and face other legal sanctions.

A recent article discussed a new movement in the state of Ohio called child support amnesty which is aimed at allowing these people to develop payment plans. The goal is to help both the families who rely on child support money and those behind on their payments. According to Ohio authorities, creating a payment plan prevents the issuance of arrest warrants. Obviously this benefits those behind on their support, but it also helps out those who need the money, as a parent in jail is even less likely to come up with a way to pay their arrears.

Amnesty events have begun sprouting up across Ohio and throughout the country, with some lasting for multiple days. These events allow non-custodial parents to find ways to overcome payment barriers, preventing possible legal sanctions. These events allow people to reinstate their driver's licenses so they can get to work. People can also use the events to determine paternity, apply for child support waivers and develop payment plans to clear their warrants.

The good news is that these events appear to be working. Fewer people are going to jail because of overdue child support and more children are receiving the funds their parents owe. Experts say the amnesty events will allow the state of Ohio to recover at least $2 billion in child support each year, much of which would not be collected if these events did not exist.

If you find yourself facing the prospect of divorce, contact an experienced Ohio family law attorney who can help guide you through the difficult process. Count on the expertise of Twinsburg family law attorney Carol L. Gasper.

Source: “Child support amnesty event under way in Akron; parents can resolve support issues,” by Bob Jones, published at NewsNet5.com.

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