Child Support Handbook: Information for Families

The child support program is a federal/state/local/tribal partnership to collect child support: We want to send the strongest possible message that parents cannot walk away from their children. Our goals are to ensure that children have the financial support of both their parents, to foster responsible behavior toward children, and to emphasize that children benefit when both parents are involved in their lives.

This Handbook is a guide to help you get child support. You'll find the steps to follow to establish fatherhood, obtain a support order, and collect the support due, whether you are working with your state, local, or tribal child support program or your own attorney. There is information for noncustodial parents about providing financial and emotional support to your children and keeping in touch with them, and about keeping support orders fair.