How does child support enforcement work?

In Florida, child support is enforced through the Department of Revenue (DOR). The DOR establishes, collects, and enforces support orders for children. In order to establish support orders, the DOR will take into consideration factors such as the income of the parents, the cost of health insurance for the children, and any special needs of the children. Once a support order is established, the DOR will make sure that the amount of support ordered is collected from the non-custodial parent. This can be collected through wage garnishment, interception of the non-custodial parent’s Federal or State income tax refunds, or through other resources such as bank accounts. The DOR also has the authority to suspend the non-custodial parent’s driver’s license, business license, professional license, or recreational license if they fail to comply with the child support order. If the non-custodial parent fails to pay support, the DOR may refer the case to the Attorney General’s office for the collection of past due support. The Attorney General’s office may then file a criminal complaint against the non-custodial parent and take them to court. The court may impose fines, jail time, or both, depending on the severity of the delinquency. The DOR also offers resources for custodial parents to track payments, apply for services, and access other helpful pieces of information. By following the steps set out by the DOR, custodial parents can ensure that their children receive the support that is owed to them.

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How does child support enforcement work?

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