Child Custody and Support
| Retroactive Child Support Awards |
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| In most states, initial child support awards may be made retroactive to the date of filing and modifications may be retroaction to the date a modification is requested. In some states, retroactivity is mandatory, and in others, it is discretionary.
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| Parental Support of Disabled Adult Children |
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| A parent's child support obligation may not terminate when the child attains the age of majority. If an adult child cannot be self supporting due to a disability, the state may require that child support be continued. More... |
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| Child Support Recovery Act |
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| The Child Support Recovery Act, well known as the "deadbeat-dad" law, makes it a federal crime to flee a state in order to avoid paying child support arrearages. The law applies to any parent who owes more than $5,000 in back child support payments or who has failed to pay on the arrearage due for more than one year.
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| Appointment of an Attorney to Represent the Child in a Custody Case |
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| In hotly contested custody cases, where the parents cannot agree on anything, courts often will appoint an attorney to represent the child or children of the parties to help resolve the custody issue. The decision to appoint an attorney is within the discretion of the court. More... |
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| Parent Locator Services for Child Support Collection |
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| The federal Parent Locator Service is available to help locate the parent of a child in order to establish a child support obligation and to collect past due amounts. More... |
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