Child Support in Indiana
Last Updated on May 23, 2024 by Kathy
Child support in Indiana is a payment by a parent to a legal guardian of a child. It’s important to provide support for the child’s education. When both parents are no longer living together, the cost of raising the child is on the shoulder of one parent. Child support aims to help provide the child with a decent standard of living even after separation.
The Process For Child Support After Divorce
Indiana’s Child Support Services are available for parents and relatives of children as well as those with legal custody. Persons who wish to apply for child support can do so by completing and submitting the online application. It’s also possible to submit physical applications, for details on physical applications, visit the Indiana’s Government website.
The Child Support Program assists in locating the noncustodial parent and serves them a court notice. Although this process can take some time, it is often quicker if the parent who files for child support has enough information about the other parent (e.g., house address and employer details). After the confirmation of the noncustodial parent’s location, a child support case can open. The Child Support Program establishes a paternity or order to determine the biological father of the child.
To confirm that the father of the child is actually the one who gave birth, the father and the child can go through DNA testing. Paternity orders may be necessary in cases where the paternity of the child or the parents did not marry each other.
After the confirmation of paternity, the court will examine information like the income of each parent, the number and time spent with each parent (in the case of joint custody) etc. The court then establishes a child maintenance order and decides how much money the noncustodial parent should pay. A court can also make orders for healthcare insurance and medical support. articularly if the child is suffering from special medical conditions.
If the income of the noncustodial parent has changed significantly or the needs of the child have been met, the support order can be modified.
How To Receive Child Support in Indiana
Direct deposits may be an option for child support cases. In these situations, the custodial party is able to receive payments directly into their checking or savings account. Those who go for this option must fill a Direct Deposit Authorization Form and attach all necessary documentation. After verification, payments are made to the account.
Child support recipients can also opt for the Way2Go Mastercard. The debit card receives the child support benefits payment each month. You can use the card just like a regular Mastercard and view all payments online. This card is ideal for those who want to separate their child support payments from personal income and expenses.
You can find additional information on options of receiving child support payments on their website.
The Maximum Amount That Your Family Can Receive
The maximum amount of child support that can be paid is not fixed. It varies according to the income of each parent. Dependents who are dependent on the noncustodial parent can also affect the amount. Parents who do not have dependents but owe more than 12 weeks’ arrearage may have up to 65% withheld from their income to pay child support obligations.
In other cases, the court will consider the income of each parent and decide on the amount the non-custodial parent will pay. Parents can also access online child support calculators in Indiana to get an estimate of child support payment. Because the court may consider other factors that cannot be incorporated into a formula, the exact amount ordered might differ.
Enforcement of Child Support
Parents will receive an Income Withholding Order (IWO who are in default with child support payments. This court order directs the employer of a parent to withhold a portion of their income for each payment period, unless otherwise ordered by the court. Parents with an IWO could have up to 65% of their income withheld in order to pay child support arrears. Employers might have a requirement to subtract child support obligations from lump sum payments that the defaulting parent needs to pay.
Other enforcement actions include the imposition of interest on delinquent accounts and withholding tax returns. These actions helps persuade the parent to fulfill their child support obligations.
