Child Support > Enforcement

ENFORCEMENT

 

The Columbiana County Child Support Enforcement Agency enforces Child and Spousal Support orders administratively and judicially.  The enforcement methods are used when the obligor/payor fails to pay support as ordered or fails to carry health insurance as ordered.  There are several enforcement methods that Columbiana County Child Support can use administratively and judicially.

 

The  most common enforcement tool implemented for enforcement is the income withholding order which is issued to the obligor/payor’s employer to have child support deductions made.  Other sources of income that can be attached are:

 

 

·        Unemployment benefits

 

·        Workers Compensation benefits

 

·        Bank withholding order to obligor/payor’s checking or savings account

 

·        Disability or sick pay

 

·        Pensions/retirement pay

 

·        Lump sum and /or bonus payments

 

 

 

Other Administrative enforcement tools Columbiana County Child Support may use are:

  • Default notice to impose an arrearage payment to collect on arrears due.
  • Submitting support arrears to the Credit Reporting Agency (CRA)
  • Suspending current professional license and/or drivers license.
  • Interception of State and Federal taxes to help collect on arrears.
  • Referrals to a collection agency

 

 

Judicial methods of enforcement are as follows:

 
  • Contempt of court for nonpayment of support (once the minimum qualifications are met)
    •  Once the obligor/payor is in arrears of at least $10,000.00 and  nonpayment for 26 consecutive weeks felony nonsupport (grand jury)  may be initiated.

     

                                         

    INTERSTATE:

     

    An Interstate case is a case which involves more than one state.  Federal law requires Child Support Enforcement Agencies to assist other states when  establishment and/or enforcement services are necessary on Interstate cases.  UIFSA, Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, governs the Interstate procedures.

     

    A case may be defined as an Interstate case in the following situations:

     

    *      One party resides in Ohio and the other resides in another state

    *      Both parties reside in Ohio but the order originated in another state

    *      Neither party resides in Ohio but the order originated in Ohio

     

    If a case meets one of these criteria but does not require establishment or enforcement actions it is possible that it would not be considered an Interstate case.