Take the Stress Out of
Collecting Child Support

It's nice to be awarded child support, but actually collecting child support can be an entirely different ball of wax. Your kids' father may or may not be involved in their lives. If he is, you feel like you've turned into a bill collector every time he shows up to see the kids. If he's not, you're wondering if you should take up private investigation to find him (and his money).

Pardon my French, but it totally sucks working hard to support your little family, and depending on child support that doesn't come. The way I see it, you've got two choices: #1- Continue to be upset by the situation, nag your ex for the money and go into debt because of the shortfall. #2- Take action!

Assuming you prefer choice #2, let's talk about effective ways to take action, while maintaining your sanity. The first thing to do is open a case with your state Office of Recovery Services. These guys are good at collecting child support. Here are a few pointers for best results with recovery services:

1. Keep a copy of every document you send to them, and store them together in a file. Things do get lost, and you'll need documentation to support your claim.
2. Keep in touch. You don't need to give them a sob story about how you can't make ends meet every week (or at all- save the drama). Just call or email regularly to check on progress. This is especially important while you are getting your file set up. Things fall through the cracks and can really delay progress if you don't keep in touch.
3. Always ask if you can supply any further information, or if there is anything else you can do.

Opening a case with ORS does take time. Don't expect them to start collecting child support for you overnight. Also, they will do their best, but they're not miracle workers. It's better than going after your ex yourself, though.

Once you have started the ball rolling with ORS, stop nagging your ex about money. It's not worth the brain drain. I know it's hard not to get upset if you need that money to get by, but you don't need the stress of fighting with your ex, too. Let ORS do their job.

So, what if your ex owes you LOTS of back child support? Well, you can take him to court. Going this route does have its risks, though. First, you have to pay an attorney or somehow represent yourself. Then you have to spend a good chunk of time collecting documents and preparing for court proceedings. It is a very lengthy process. What's worse, even if you get a judgment in your favor, you may not be able to collect it.

It's not impossible, though. Just carefully weigh your options before you proceed with this method of collecting child support. It couldn't hurt to try working with ORS first. And who knows- maybe your ex will get tired of the judgment dragging down his credit, and just pay you...it could happen.

There is another option for collecting child support, if you are awarded a judgment. Well, two options, really.

First, you can file your judgment with ORS. If your ex ever gets a tax return or any other funds from the government, ORS will make sure you get paid first. They will also attach liens to his property, so if he sells, you guessed it- you get paid.

Second, you can try is working with a firm that will buy your judgment from you. You get paid pennies on the dollar, and they go after your ex, not you. This is only a good option if you really don't think you'll get anything otherwise.

If you are struggling to collect regular child support payments from your ex, then your long-term financial plans should include budgeting without that amount. That way, if you get child support, it's gravy. You can use it to stoke up your savings account, pay school or activity fees for your kids, or start college funds.

That may seem like an insurmountable task, but it is possible, even for a single mom like yourself. Stay tuned for more on how to support your family without child support.

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