Getting Child Support Checklist
Download article as a PDFIf you are interested in getting child support, following is a checklist of steps to take.
Locate Your Child's Other Parent
Make sure you know the location/whereabouts of the other parent (i.e. address, employer, and other contact information, etc.). If you do not know this basic information, you may be entitled to free assistance with locating the other parent, through your state's child support services agency.
Go here to see a state-by-state listing of child support agencies.
Establish Legal Fatherhood (Paternity)
If the identity of your child's father is in question, you may need to take steps to establish legal fatherhood or "paternity".
More on Paternity
Resolve Terms of Child Support Payment
Resolution of the terms of child support payment is usually done in one of two ways: by agreement between the parents, or by court order.
More on Child Support by Agreement
More on Child Support by Court Order
Adjust Terms of Child Support Payment
If your personal or financial circumstances change, you can ask the court to increase or decrease the amount of child support you receive.
More on Child Support Modification