Frequently-Asked Questions On Child Support Orders with Parents in Different States
Q: How is child support established or enforced if the non-custodial parent lives in another state?
A: Arapahoe County Child Support Enforcement works cooperatively with child support offices in other states to establish and/or
enforce child support orders. However, Child Support Enforcement must rely on the other state’s laws and procedures to establish
and/or enforce the orders.
Q: Why does Arapahoe County Child Support Enforcement need to send my case to the other state?
A: In most circumstances, Colorado must have personal jurisdiction over a person (meaning the person must reside in Colorado)
in order to establish a child support order or enforce an existing order. Therefore, we send these cases to the state in which
the non-custodial parent resides, as the other state will have additional authority to establish and/or enforce an order.
Q: How long will it take for the other state to establish a child support order?
A: It can take 3 to 6 months for the other state to open its case. From that time, it can take on average 6 to 12 months to
establish an order, depending on the process used by the other state. The order may be established administratively by that
state’s child support enforcement office or judicially by its courts.
Q: What if a hearing is scheduled with the court in the other state?
A: The custodial parent may or may not be asked to participate in scheduled hearings, but will never be required to travel
to the other state. If asked to participate, you may request to do so by phone.
Q: Who should I call if the case is being enforced through another state?
A: You should continue to contact Arapahoe County Child Support Enforcement for status updates or to provide information pertinent
to your case, rather than the other state.
Q: How often can Arapahoe County Child Support Enforcement contact the other state for the status of my case?
A: We can contact the other state for status if it has been at least 60 days since the last update from the other state. We
generally allow 30 days for another state to respond before following up.
Q: What happens if the non-custodial parent keeps moving to avoid paying child support?
A: It is very difficult to enforce child support orders when the non-custodial parent moves frequently to avoid responsibility.
You can help our office by keeping us informed whenever you learn of new address or employment information for the non-custodial
parent.
Q: Will child support payments be paid to me by Colorado or by the other state?
A: The other state will collect the payment and it will be sent to you through Colorado’s Family Support Registry.
Q: Can I learn how child support payments are being made?
A: The other state will take action to collect payments on your case, but the source of the payment (such as wage withholding,
unemployment benefits or a financial institution) is not provided to our office. We will not contact the other state to find
out a specific source of a payment. You may find out the amount or date of a payment by contacting Colorado’s Family Support
Registry at 303-299-9123.
Q: How long will it take for my order to be reviewed after requesting a modification?
A: The timeframe for a modification review will vary with each case. Arapahoe County Child Support Enforcement must know the
whereabouts of each party and decide whether Colorado or another state is the appropriate place to proceed with a review.
You can contact our customer service team for more information specific to your case.
|
| Child Support Enforcement Helpful Links |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|