The resource defines a list of acronyms and other terms used by child support workers. Communication among caseworkers nationwide is a major key to successfully processing cases and collecting payments for child support. The glossary is intended to be a reference tool to those who are new to child support. It will serve to break down the barriers of communication with other professional child support workers.
The glossary is also a useful tool for custodial and noncustodial parents when communicating with the caseworker, and for the public at large who desire to understand child support better.
Acronyms
Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
A ruling or order made by a judge or other decision-maker such as a hearing officer.
The agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that houses the Office of Child Support Services.
The process of withholding all or part of a federal government payment from an individual (or entity) owing past-due child support. The payment is non-tax related, and the funds are used to reduce or satisfy the debt.
The method used by an executive agency (rather than the court system) to make and enforce support orders.
A written statement, usually notarized, that is signed under oath or by affirmation.
Former entitlement program that made public assistance payments on behalf of children who did not have the financial support of one of their parents by reason of death, disability, or continued absence from the home. Replaced with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act.
A person, usually a parent, who has the legal authority to act on behalf of a minor.
A man named as the father of a child born of unmarried parents who has not been legally determined to be the father. The alleged father is also referred to as the 'putative' father.
This is the maximum amount available for child support withholding, calculated by applying a state’s limitations or the Consumer Credit Protection Act limits to the noncustodial parent’s disposable income.
(See also: Disposable income; Consumer Credit Protection Act)
The amount of past-due child support owed by the noncustodial parent. If the parent has an arrearage, the parent is “in arrears.”
When a person agrees to turn over their rights to get child support payments (including any past-due amounts) in exchange for public assistance and other benefits. States and tribes can use a portion of the child support payments to cover or recoup the expense of providing public assistance or benefits to the individual.
B
The man who provided the paternal genes of a child; sometimes called the birth parent.
The duty of a party to prove its claims or charges, with a greater weight of evidence, on the issue.
An agency within the Department of the Treasury (formerly known as Financial Management Service). It is the U.S. government’s financial manager, central disburser, and collections agent as well as its accountant, finance reporter, and collector of past-due federal debt.
C
The group of people associated with a particular child support order, court hearing, or request for child support services. This typically includes a custodial party (CP), dependent(s), and a noncustodial parent (NCP) or putative father. In addition to names and identifying information about its members, every child support case has a unique case identification number and includes information such as CP and NCP wage data, order details, and NCP payment history.
(See also: Child Support; Putative Father)
A centralized unit maintained by a state child support agency that is responsible for receiving, distributing, and responding to inquiries on intergovernmental child support cases. Tribal programs are not required to have a central registry.
Financial support paid by the noncustodial parent to help support a child. Noncustodial parents can voluntarily pay. A court or properly empowered administrative agency can order child support, depending on state or tribal laws. Child support can involve different types of cases:
The custodial parent or caretaker is receiving public assistance on behalf of their child; referred to as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funded under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act. TANF refers the case to the child support agency and the child’s caretaker has assigned the child’s support rights to the state or tribe.
The custodial parent or caretaker is receiving public assistance on behalf of their child; referred to as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funded under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act. TANF refers the case to the child support agency and the child’s caretaker has assigned the child’s support rights to the state or tribe.
This case receives child support services funded under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act and includes a:
- Dependent child
- Custodial party such as a parent, caretaker relative, or other custodian, including an entity such as a foster care agency who takes care of the child
- Noncustodial parent, which could be the mother, father, or putative father, that does not live with the child.
The child is receiving benefits or services for foster care funded by Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. These cases are also eligible for child support services.
A child support order where the child support agency is not providing locate, enforcement, or collection services; often entered into during divorce proceedings. Payments on non-IV-D cases come through the state disbursement unit for payment processing only.
Any child support case that is a referral from TANF or foster care and is also receiving public assistance from TANF or foster care funded under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. The child’s caretaker has assigned the child’s support rights to the state or tribe.
Also called a TANF IV-D Case or Foster Care IV-D Case.
When the custodial parent or caretaker is receiving child support services but isn’t eligible for and has not previously received TANF or foster care services under Titles IV-A or IV-E of the Social Security Act. A child support case is set up when a person requests a child support office to help them establish paternity or a child support order. Includes cases where the child is receiving child support services as a result of a written application for IV-D services, including cases where the child is receiving foster care services (not Title IV-E) or Medicaid but isn’t receiving additional assistance.
The custodial parent, caretaker, or child formerly received TANF or foster care services under Titles IV-A or IV-E of the Social Security Act.
An agency run by a state, territory, tribal, or local government to help find noncustodial parents or the alleged father. The agency establishes, enforces, and changes child support orders; and collects and distributes child support money. The agency follows the child support guidelines found in Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Also known as a “IV-D Agency.”
The federal/state/tribal/local partnership established under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act to locate parents, establish paternity and child support orders, and collect on those orders.
This document shows the amount that a parent pays for child support. It can also show if a parent will provide health insurance or medical support for the child. The amount is established by court order, administrative process, voluntary agreement, or other legal process and are enforceable. The agreements are legal documents and may include a judgment for past-due child support (arrears).
Note: Voluntary agreements vary from state to state.
When a state or tribal child support agency collects child support for a public assistance (TANF) recipient, the state or tribe can keep the money to reimburse itself and the government for the public assistance provided to the individual. States and tribes have the option to “pass-through” or give the child support payment to the custodial parent with no effect on TANF— meaning the child support pass-through amount would not be considered income for determining if a custodial parent is eligible for TANF.
(See also: Public Assistance)
A state insurance program that provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance.
The formal written document filed in a court, that sets forth the names of the parties, the allegations, and the request for relief sought. Sometimes called the 'initial pleading' or 'petition'.
Voluntary written admission of paternity or responsibility for child support.
Federal law that limits the amount that may be withheld from earnings to satisfy child support obligations and other garnishments. State or tribal law may further limit the amount that can be withheld from a person’s paycheck.
The authority that only one tribunal has to modify a support order. It further addresses that only one support order should be effective and enforceable between the same parties at any one time.
(See also: Tribunal)
The one order that must be used by states and tribes for enforcing and modifying actions going forward. In cases involving multiple orders issued prior to the enactment of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), UIFSA provides rules for determining the controlling order—the one order to be used going forward. UIFSA does not apply to tribes.
Adjusting the amount of a support payment based on the economy’s increasing or decreasing cost of living expenses, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
Criminal charges against a noncustodial parent who refuses to pay child support. There are criminal offenses for failure to pay support at the state and federal levels. Federal actions require interstate activity.
A law that makes it a federal crime to refuse to pay past-due child support payments for a child who lives in another state. The past-due amount must be either greater than $5,000 or must have been unpaid for more than one year.
The law established felony violations for intentionally failing to pay legal child support obligations in interstate cases. It imposes criminal penalties on parents who repeatedly fail to pay child support for their out-of-state children or move to or travel to another state to avoid paying.
The parent who has legal charge of the child—lives with the child and cares for the child’s daily needs. Also called a 'custodial party' and can be a relative or other person with legal custody of the child.
Legally binding determination that establishes with whom a child shall live. The meaning of different types of custody terms (for example: joint custody, shared custody, split custody) varies from state to state and tribe to tribe.
D
An order entered by the court based on information at hand because the person failed to file an answer or appear in court within the requested time frame.
(See also: Summons)
Decision made by the tribunal when the defendant fails to respond.
The person accused of a crime or who is being sued.
A person who is under the care of a parent, relative, or other caretaker and cannot live on their own. Most children who are eligible to receive child support must be dependents.
The child may remain eligible for child support for a period after he or she is emancipated or reaches the “age of majority” depending on the state or tribe.
(See also: Emancipation)
“Age of emancipation” means legal independence and no longer needing a guardian. State or tribal law determines the “age of emancipation” or “age of majority.”
The process of money being sent out to the custodial parent once child support has been received; the paying out of collected child support funds.
Procedure by which a tribunal can nullify an order or a determination of paternity generally.
The portion of an employee’s earnings that remains after deductions required by law (for example: taxes, Social Security, FICA). The disposable income is used to determine the amount that can be used for garnishing a paycheck or for a child support withholding order.
(See also: Garnishment)
The allocation of child support collected to the various types of debt (for example: monthly support obligations, arrears, ordered arrears) within a child support case as specified in 45 CFR 302.51 (or 45 CFR 309.115); how the total payment amount is divided between all money owed under the support orders, including reimbursement for public assistance.
The principle of fairness in legal proceedings so that a person has a right to know what action is being taken and has an opportunity to be heard.
E
A child support payment that's electronically transferred to an account. The most common electronic disbursements are direct deposits to a bank or other financial institution or through an electronic payment card.
Electronically transferring money from one bank account to another.
The actions used to require the noncustodial parent to comply with the obligations that are noted in a child or spousal support order (like child support or medical support payments or some other provision). Examples of actions used include garnishing wages, seizing or placing liens on assets, suspending licenses —driver, business, medical— intercepting lottery winnings, denying U.S. passports, Elder Circles, and court proceedings.
(See also: Lottery Intercept; Passport Denial Program)
The legal age a person is no longer considered a minor (child). It is also referred to as the "age of majority." The law is different from state to state and tribe to tribe. Depending on the state’s provisions, the person may remain eligible for child support for a period after emancipation.
The process of determining legal paternity and/or obtaining a court or administrative order to put a child support obligation in place.
F
A designation in the Federal Case Registry placed on a participant in a case or order by a state or tribe that indicates the participant is at risk of child abuse or domestic violence. The state uses this indicator to prevent disclosing the location of a party or a child believed to be at risk of family violence.
A national database of information on individuals in all IV-D cases and all non-IV-D orders entered or modified on or after October 1, 1998. The FCR receives this case information on a daily basis from the State Case Registry located in every state, and proactively matches it with previous submissions to the FCR and with employment information contained in the National Directory of New Hires. Any successful matches are returned to the appropriate state(s) for processing. The FCR and the NDNH are both part of the Federal Parent Locator Service maintained by OCSS.
The portion of a state’s child support expenditures that are paid by a federal government match. Most child support costs are matched two to one. In other words, the federal share of most child support costs is 66%.
The program that provides several enforcement tools to collect past-due child support from noncustodial parents, including federal income tax refund and administrative offset, passport denial, and the Multistate Financial Institution Data Match.
(See also: Passport Denial Program; Multistate Financial Institution Data Match)
A network of systems operated by OCSS. The FPLS contains addresses, employer information, and child support case data from every state. The FPLS compares the data and returns matches to the appropriate states.
The expanded FPLS includes the Federal Case Registry and the National Directory of New Hires.
The process that collects past-due child support amounts from noncustodial parents by seizing their federal income tax refunds.
A data match operated by child support agencies to compare account information in financial institutions (for example: banks, savings and loans, brokerage houses) with individuals who owe past-due child support.
A formal determination by a court or administrative process that has legal standing.
A foreign country with which the United States has signed a bilateral agreement ensuring reciprocity in child support enforcement.
(See also: Reciprocity)
A federal/state/tribal program that provides financial support to people, families, or institutions that are raising children that are not their own.
(See also: Child Support: IV-E Case)
Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act (FFCCSOA)
A law under which a state or tribe must honor an order or judgment that has been entered in another state or tribe and enforce it as if it were their own. That state or tribe may not modify the order unless properly petitioned to do so.
This principle was initially applied to child support orders under the 1994 Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act.
G
A legal document directing a third party (often an employer) to withhold money or property to pay a debt.
A test to determine the birth father of a child by comparing DNA markers (can include analyzing human cells collected from both the child and alleged father).
(See also: Legal Father; Paternity; Putative Father)
A legal reason to excuse a person who receives public assistance from cooperating with the child support enforcement process (for example; past physical harm by the noncustodial parent; rape/incest that resulted in pregnancy; or when adoption is being considered).
(See also: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Child Support: IV-A Case)
A mathematical formula for figuring out child support payments. It is based on the income of one or both parent(s) and other factors determined by state or tribal law.
(See also: Income; Disposable Income; Imputed Income)
H
Health care coverage includes any health care coverage for a child or children in a IV-D case. This includes:
- Private health insurance such as employment-based insurance and individually purchased health insurance policies, including those purchased through state and federal health care marketplaces
- Publicly funded health care coverage, including Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, other state coverage plans, and coverage through Tricare or the Indian Health Service
(See also: Medical Support)
I
Refers to Part D of Title IV of the Social Security Act. Title IV-D establishes the child support program.
The court or decision-maker can attribute certain income levels to a person based on the person’s education or training, skill, and work history. Some states consider assets, for example, if the obligor is self-employed or owns real estate. This also may be the amount of income the court or administrator determines that an obligor is capable of earning if he or she does not appear at a hearing after proper service.
(See also: Disposable Income; Guidelines)
Non-cash support payments (for example: food, clothing, or services) provided to a custodial parent or child instead of cash support payments. This type of support is only authorized in tribal child support programs.
A form of payment regularly given to an individual, regardless of source, for work performed (for example: wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, worker’s compensation, disability, pension, or retirement program payments and interest, and Social Security benefits).
The deduction of a child support payment from a parent’s income. The payment is transferred to the appropriate State Disbursement Unit or tribal child support agency.
Requirements for an employer or income payor to accept and process an income withholding order from any state, without the need to use the child support agency or court system in the noncustodial parent’s state.
An automatic deduction from income that starts as soon as the order for support is established and an income withholding order/notice is received and put in place by the noncustodial parent’s employer or income payor.
The standard form (OMB 0970-0154) that must be used to initiate income withholding for support. The form is used by child support agencies (states and tribes) and any other entity, such as private attorneys or courts, requiring an employer or income payor to withhold payment from the noncustodial parent’s income to collect child support.
(See also: Direct Income Withholding; Income Withholding; Garnishment)
A state or tribal IV-D program or an agency in a country in which an individual has applied for or is receiving services.
(See also: Interstate IV-D Case; Two-State Action; Uniform Interstate Family Support Act)
A method of collecting child support payments by taking a portion of the noncustodial’s non-wage payments. Non-wage payments include federal and state tax refunds, unemployment benefits, and disability benefits.
(See also: Federal Tax Refund Offset Program)
An online repository of contact information and high-level policy descriptions for child support programs in states, tribes, territories, and foreign countries.
A case in which the dependent child and noncustodial parent live in different states, tribes, territories, or countries. Two or more agencies or tribunals are involved in some case activity, such as enforcement.
A child support case involving the United States and a foreign country.
A case under the state’s child support program received 'from' or referred 'to' a foreign country that has entered into an agreement with the United States under the Social Security Act or a mutual agreement.
(See also: Foreign Reciprocating Countries)
An action that takes place involving two or more states, typically where the order for support is in one state and one of the parties resides elsewhere. It can also be between two tribes or a state and a tribe; also called interjurisdictional or intergovernmental.
An OCSS program that matches cases that two states may have in common, identifies missing or incorrect data, and provides corrected data back to the states. The data include case ID, case status, and participant information.
The unit in each state child support agency that is responsible for receiving, distributing, and responding to inquiries on all incoming interstate cases.
A child support case in which the noncustodial parent lives or works in a different state or tribe from the custodial parent and child.
J
A court or administrative agency’s official decision or finding.
Using the court to determine child support legal obligations, including establishing paternity and orders, and enforcing and modifying orders.
The legal authority that a court or administrative agency has over particular persons, over certain types of cases, and usually in a defined location. Also indicates a geographic location such as a state or tribe with a tribunal that exercises such authority.
(See also: Two-State Action; Long-Arm Jurisdiction)
L
A man who is recognized by law as the male parent of a child.
(See also: Putative Father; Paternity)
To seize and possibly sell assets, including personal property, to satisfy a child support debt.
A claim upon property to prevent sale or transfer of that property until a debt is paid.
The act, process, or practice of settling a dispute in a court of law.
When a party or putative father is sought to establish paternity/parentage, custody, and visitation rights and/or enforce a child support obligation, to process adoption or foster care cases, and to investigate parental kidnapping.
Data used to locate putative fathers, noncustodial parents, or custodial parents. May include their Social Security number, date of birth, residential address, and employer.
Legal provision that permits one state or tribe to claim personal jurisdiction over someone who lives in another state or tribe. There must be some meaningful connection between the person and the state, territory, tribe, or district that is asserting jurisdiction in order for a court or agency to reach beyond its normal jurisdictional border.
(See also: Two-State Action; Uniform Interstate Family Support Act)
When money won from the lottery is seized from a noncustodial parent to pay past-due child support.
M
A joint federal- and state-funded program that provides free or low-cost health care coverage. It is provided to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by states according to federal requirements.
A case where the child or children have been determined to be eligible for or are receiving Medicaid under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, but who are not current or former recipients of aid under Title IV-A or IV-E of the Act. A Medicaid-Only case is reported as a never-assistance case.
Medical coverage provided for a child or children in a child support order. This includes:
- Private health insurance
- Publicly funded health coverage if a parent is ordered by a court or administrative process to provide cash medical support payments to help pay the cost of Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program
- Cash medical support, including payment of health insurance premiums
- Payment of medical bills (including dental or eye care). Indian Health Service and Tricare are acceptable forms of medical support.
Medical support may be provided by the custodial parent, noncustodial parent, or another person, such as a stepparent.
(See also: Health care coverage)
A request to the court to rule in favor of (make a decision that benefits or satisfies) the party that is filing the motion.
The amount of money a noncustodial parent or party must pay each month for child and/or spousal support.
An employer who conducts business in two or more states. As with single-state employers, multistate employers are required by law to report all new hires to the State Directory of New Hires operated by their state government. A multistate employer may report all of their new hires to the SDNH of only one state in which they do business rather than to each of them.
A financial institution that conducts business in two or more states.
OCSS-operated program that matches noncustodial parents who owe past-due child support with accounts held in financial institutions doing business in more than one state. Child support agencies receive the data matches and seize/levy accounts, when appropriate.
N
The association that establishes the Electronic Funds Transfer and the child support Electronic Data Interchange formats, including the rules and procedures that govern use of the stored value cards.
A national database containing employment and unemployment information from State Directories of New Hires and State Workforce Agencies. It also contains new hire and quarterly wage data from federal agencies about their employees.
(See also: Office of Child Support Enforcement; Federal Parent Locator Service; New Hire Reporting; Quarterly Wage Data)
An OMB-approved form that orders an employer and its health care plan administrator to enroll their employee’s child in available health care coverage when it’s required in a child support order.
When properly completed, the NMSN is a Qualified Medical Child Support Order, a document necessary for health care plans to enroll dependents who are not living with the covered, noncustodial parent.
An employer is required to submit data on a new or rehired employee within 20 days of hiring to the State Directory of New Hires (SDNH) in the state where they do business. A multistate employer has the option of reporting all new and rehires to a single state where any employee works.
SDNHs submit the data to the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), and it is compared to child support order information in the Federal Case Registry for child support case processing.
Tribal programs can have access to NDNH data by agreement with a state.
(See also: State Directory of New Hires; National Directory of New Hires)
The parent who does not have primary care, custody, or control of the child, and who may have an obligation to pay child support. Also referred to as the obligor.
(See also: Custodial Party; Obligor)
A child support order not enforced by a child support agency. Typically, non-IV-D orders are handled by a private attorney or parents representing themselves rather than an action brought by a state, tribe, or local IV-D agency.
A decision where the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be at risk if personal information was revealed. In such cases, the Family Violence Indicator will identify the person(s) at risk. The procedures for obtaining a nondisclosure finding vary from state to state.
(See also: Family Violence Indicator)
O
The amount of money to be paid by a noncustodial parent or spouse in the form of financial or medical support for the child or spousal support.
The person, state or tribal agency, or other entity to which child support is owed (also referred to as the 'custodial party' when the money is owed to the person with primary custody of the child).
The person obligated to pay child support (also referred to as a 'noncustodial parent').
The federal agency responsible for the administration of the Child Support program. Created by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act in 1975, OCSS is responsible for developing child support policy, oversight, evaluation, and audits of state and tribal child support programs; and providing technical assistance and training to those programs.
OCSS operates the Federal Parent Locator Service, which includes the National Directory of New Hires and the Federal Case Registry. OCSS is part of the Administration for Children and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services.
Reducing funds paid by the federal government to a noncustodial parent and applying the funds toward the balance of the delinquent debt. Also, money seized from a noncustodial parent’s state or federal income tax refund or administrative payment (for example: federal retirement benefits) to satisfy a child support debt.
A legally binding decision that details the responsibilities of the parties involved in an action. It can determine the legal parents, a support obligation, and an outline of the rights of the parties. It’s issued by a judge or administrative entity authorized to enter orders. It can also be a voluntary agreement between the parties that has been approved by an appropriate official.
(See also: Parentage)
P
The legal mother-child relationship and father-child relationship as determined by the state.
Program that is operated under the Federal Offset Program (FOP). Cases where an obligor owes back child support greater than an amount as determined by the federal government, are submitted to the FOP. It is then forwarded to the U.S. Department of State, which flags the noncustodial’s name and refuses to issue a passport in the event he or she applies for one until arrangements are made to satisfy the back payments.
(See also: Federal Offset Program)
The legal establishment of fatherhood for a child, either by court determination, administrative process, tribal custom or voluntary acknowledgment.
A paternity acknowledgment involves the legal establishment of fatherhood for a child through a voluntary acknowledgment signed by both parents as part of an in-hospital or other acknowledgement service.
Person or organization who is owed the child support money.
Person who makes child support payments, usually a noncustodial parent or someone acting on their behalf.
The person, state, or tribal agency initiating a petition or motion.
A person who brings an action; the party who complains or sues in a civil case.
Statements or allegations, presented in logical and legal form, which constitute a plaintiff’s cause of action or a defendant’s grounds of defense.
A rule of law that permits a court to assume a man is the father of a child if certain facts exist. This rule may be disproved by presenting factual information that shows the man could not be the father.
Known as a non-IV-D case, it is a support case where the custodial party to whom child support is owed is not receiving child support benefits or services.
(See also: Child Support)
Process of automatically comparing new child support case data submitted to the Federal Case Registry with existing FCR data, external federal agency data, and employment data in the National Directory of New Hires. The results are then returned to the appropriate state(s) for processing.
The conduct of business before a judge or administrative hearing officer.
When a party represents himself in a legal matter, rather than being represented by a lawyer.
Money granted from the state, territory, tribal, or federal programs to a person or family for living expenses. Eligibility is based on need and varies between programs.
(See also: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
The person alleged to be the (birth) father of a child but has not yet been medically or legally declared to be the legal father.
(See also: Legal Father; Paternity; Genetic Testing)
Q
An order decree or judgment, including approval of a settlement agreement, issued by a court or administrative agency that orders that a child be covered under a parent’s health plan. It is processed through the parent’s employer. The specific information requested must meet the Employee Retirement Information Security Act’s requirement and must be properly completed on the National Medical Support Notice to be considered a QMCSO.
Data on all employees submitted by (private sector) employers on a quarterly basis to the State Workforce Agency in the state in which they operate business. The data is then submitted to the National Directory of New Hires to be compared against child support order information contained in the Federal Case Registry for possible enforcement of child support obligations.
Federal agencies report the data directly to the NDNH.
(See also: National Directory of New Hires)
A framework or procedure, overseen by a state’s judicial branch or tribal court, in which court officers (other than judges) process, establish, enforce, and modify support orders. The court officer may be a magistrate, a clerk, master, or court examiner. He or she may or may not have to be an attorney, depending on the state or tribal law.
R
The process by which one jurisdiction grants certain privileges to another jurisdiction on the condition that it receives the same privileges.
The controlling order used for child support enforcement from the present time forward. The controlling order is identified by applying the rules of the Full Faith and Credit for Child Supports Orders Act.
(See also: Full Faith and Credit)
Request sent to a child support agency from another jurisdiction or a non-child support agent/agency asking to establish a child support case.
When an order filed by one jurisdiction is recognized, accepted, and acted upon in another jurisdiction. Because of this registration, the court that receives an action (the responding court) would carry on as if they initiated the order.
An order may be registered for enforcement, modification, or both.
The party answering a petition or motion.
The court or administrative agency that responds to a request by another jurisdiction. The responding jurisdiction has authority over a noncustodial parent or child support order.
(See also: Registration)
Periodic review and evaluation of information obtained from both parties in a child support case to decide if a support order needs to be adjusted.
S
The actual delivery of legal notice to a party. It requires that party to appear in court or to respond to the initiating party or their agent.
Accomplishing a Service of Process by publishing a notice in a newspaper or by posting it on a bulletin board of a courthouse or other public facility after a court determines that other means of service are impractical or have been unsuccessful. This method of service is not available in every jurisdiction.
(See also: Service of Process)
An order directing a person to appear and bring any evidence as to why any requests to resolve a complaint/charge should not be granted. A show cause order is usually based on a motion and affidavit asking for some type of relief.
Court-ordered support for a spouse or ex-spouse; also referred to as maintenance or alimony.
A database maintained by each state that contains information on individuals in child support cases. Information submitted to the SCR is transmitted to the Federal Case Registry.
(See also: Federal Case Registry; Child Support: IV-D Case; Non-IV-D Order)
A database maintained by each state that contains information about individuals submitted by their employer within 20 days of hire. The data are transmitted to the National Directory of New Hires where they are compared to the employment data from states as well as child support data in the Federal Case Registry. Matches found are returned to the appropriate states for processing.
(See also: National Directory for New Hires)
The single site in most states where all child support payments are sent for processing.
A service provided by the state child support agencies to locate parents in order to establish and enforce child support obligations, visitation, and custody orders or to establish paternity. This information is accessible to tribes through agreement made with a state.
A case sent between state and tribal child support programs for processing.
The agency in each state that processes unemployment insurance claims and maintains databases of employment information and quarterly wage data submitted by employers.
The cutoff point on the length of time a person has to take a legal action.
An order by a court that suspends all or some of the proceedings in a case.
Child support payments are transmitted via a debit card; also called an Electronic Payment Card.
A process issued by a court compelling a witness to appear at a judicial proceeding. Sometimes the process will also direct the witness to bring documentary evidence to the court.
A notice to a defendant that an action against them has been started in the court and that a judgment will be issued against them if the complaint is not answered within a certain time.
T
Time-limited public assistance payments made to families with children when the parent/s or other responsible relative/s cannot provide for the family’s basic needs.
The program provides parents with job preparation, work, and support services to help them become self-sufficient. Applicants for TANF benefits are automatically referred to their state or tribal child support agency in order to establish paternity and receive child support for their children from the noncustodial parent.
(See also: Good Cause)
When an entity (e.g., an insurer) is obligated to reimburse the state provider for health care coverage.
A TANF program administered by a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization (Tribal TANF).
A child support program administered by a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization and funded under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
Organizations run by Native American tribes.
Any Indian or Alaskan Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as an Indian tribe and includes in the list of federally recognized Indian tribal governments.
The court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial agency authorized to establish or modify support orders or to determine parentage.
Action a state must file under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act when it does not have Long Arm Jurisdiction (that is, it cannot legally claim personal jurisdiction over a noncustodial parent who lives in another state). This may occur in cases where a state is trying to establish paternity or an initial child support order on behalf of a custodial party.
(See also: Uniform Interstate Family Support Act)
U
Support payment that cannot be disbursed because the identity of the payor or the case information is unknown or the address of the payee is unknown.
Child support payments that have been collected by child support agencies but have not yet been sent to custodial parents or other government agencies or returned to noncustodial parents.
Law enacted by all states that provides mechanisms for establishing and enforcing child support obligations in interstate cases (when a noncustodial parent lives in a different state from the child and the custodial party). Among the law’s provisions is ability of state child support agencies to send withholding orders to employers across state lines. (UIFSA does not apply to tribes.)
(See also: Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction; Two-State Action; Direct Income Withholding)
The cumulative amount of assistance money paid to the family for all months, that has not been repaid by assigned child support payments collected.
(See also: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
V
The right of a noncustodial parent to visit or spend time with their child/children.
When a man or both parents admit that the man is the father of a child; usually provided in writing on an affidavit or acknowledgment form. Some states have an acknowledgment of 'parentage'.
(See also: Affidavit)
When a noncustodial parent is intentionally not working to avoid paying child support. If this is determined by a court, the court can impute (estimate) the noncustodial’s earnings based on certain factors.