Learn About Your Current Debt
HOW MUCH DO YOU OWE?
Your summary report/case update will have information about your current debt level -- these numbers can sometimes be overwhelming but don’t get discouraged!
Arrears is what you owe to the custodial parent and/or to social services. This is also called “back obligation.”
Current obligation is what you’re still expected to provide to your child(ren) while your case is active. This is related to how much is garnished (aka taken from) from your wages.
DO YOU OWE MONEY TO SOCIAL SERVICES, THE CUSTODIAL PARENT, OR BOTH?
It’s important to figure this out because the process of getting the debt adjusted depends on who you owe. Your summary report will tell you how much of your debt is owed directly to the custodial parent and how much is owed to Social Services.
HOW DID I END UP OWING MONEY TO SOCIAL SERVICES?
This happens when the custodial parent gets public assistance like SNAP, housing, or cash assistance. In those situations, the government asks about their children’s parents - that’s how you end up owing debt to social services. Because the government becomes a kind of caretaker, they ask the non-custodial parents to pay them back for providing these services.
IS YOUR DEBT/ARREARS STILL PILING UP?
If your child is an adult then you might not be adding (aka “accruing”) any more debt. In most states child support stops at age 18, when the child finishes high school, or if they emancipate but each state’s law is a little different. A summary of state laws is here.