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The Role of the Child Support Bureau

Child support, as an aspect of a divorce or paternity case, can seem like a fairly straightforward concept. You go to court, a judge issues an order, and the payments start coming. While this is the outcome in an ideal situation, it is not uncommon to need additional support and intervention from the courts and/or government agencies to enforce and collect the child support payments. A recent article in the Greenfield Daily Reporter highlights a child support specialist that received recognition for her service to the local Child Support Division.

Who exactly is a child support specialist and what does the Child Support Division do? Child Support Divisions are part of the Indiana Child Support Bureau and are tasked with assisting parents and children on matters of paternity and child support. Knowing how this agency fits into the child support system in Indiana will be helpful to parents attempting to navigate this process.

Child Support Collection

One of the Bureau’s biggest responsibilities is to serve as the central collection unit for child support in Indiana. This means all non-cash payments and payments taken as part of an income withholding order are processed and distributed through this agency. The non-custodial parent can make child support payments online, by sending a check or over the telephone. Custodial parents can check the status of payments online through the Bureau’s website and choose to receive funds by direct deposit to a checking account or with a debit card.

Parent Locator

The other main responsibility of the Bureau is to run the state’s parent locator service. This service exists to locate parents who owe back child support or have abandoned their children. The locator service has the authority to request information from state, county, city, and local agencies in an effort to find out a parent’s location, income, and property. Agencies are to release this information even if it would be otherwise confidential.

Any business operating in Indiana must provide an agent of the Bureau the following information upon request needed to locate a parent:

  • Parent’s full name;
  • Social Security number;
  • Date of Birth;
  • Address where the parent resides;
  • Wages earned;
  • Number of dependents claimed on state and federal withholding forms;
  • Name and address of employer;
  • Name and address of financial institutions holding an account for the parent;
  • Address of real property owned by the parent; and
  • Name and address of the parent’s health insurance carrier, along with the policy number.

Information Access

In order to obtain specific confidential information from government entities, public utilities, cable companies, and financial institutions, the Bureau can issue subpoenas to compel the release of the needed information. Some of the records they may request include:

  • Birth, marriage and death records;
  • Tax records;
  • Records for real and personal property titled in the parent’s name;
  • Records for occupational, professional and recreational licenses;
  • Records from the bureau of motor vehicles; and
  • Correctional records.

Find a Lawyer

Attempting to establish or enforce child support obligations involves a process with many moving parts. Working with an attorney on child support issues is the best way to ensure you receive your payments in a timely manner. Christopher L. Arrington, Attorney at Law, P.C., in the Indianapolis area, offers legal services on range of family law matters, including child support questions. Contact him today to schedule an appointment.



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