Federal and State law requires all child support orders to include a mandatory Income Withholding Order (IWO). Upon order of the court, paperwork for the IWO will be sent to the non-custodial parent’s employer and earnings will be withheld.

If the non-custodial parent does not pay child support through the IWO, the parent should make payments to the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) or directly to our office to ensure an accurate record of payment. A non-custodial parent who makes Child Support payments directly to the custodial party without proof of payment will not be given credit for those payments. Additionally, payment made for clothes, school supplies, rent, and other expenses will not be given credit unless ordered by the court.

When the non–custodial parent is not paying child support through the IWO, our office will mail a billing statement on a monthly basis. The billing statement will contain a tear-off form and pre-addressed envelope for payment of the child support. Child support should be paid before other bills are paid. Under the law, the obligation to support the child is considered more important that other debts owed.