These are the questions we are most often asked by our clients. If your question is not answered here, or if you would like further clarification on any issue, you can call us toll-free, anytime at 1-888-95-CHILD. If you would like to have National Child Support get started collecting your child support immediately, click here.
Q. How long has National Child Support been in business?
A. National Child Support has been helping parents and children collect past-due child support since 1991. Our track record of success is unparalleled and our clients have received tens of millions of dollars in child support monies collected! We have helped tens of thousands of parents just like you!
Q. What if the absent parent doesn’t have any job or assets, can you still collect?
A. From the 22 plus years we have been in business, we have learned that child support scofflaws are very good at hiding assets and income and avoiding justice. However, National Child Support is uniquely experienced in “tracking down” the deadbeats and their money. We find the vast majority of the deadbeat parents we are looking for and about half of them have the ability to pay!
Q. How do I know if I’m eligible to receive your collection services?
A. If you have a court order for child support and are currently not receiving any AFDC or TANF payments (you are not receiving actual welfare checks) and have an arrears owed to you of at least $2,500, you’re eligible. We will help you collect what is owed to you. You are still eligible if you receive food stamps or have a medical card.
Q. What do I pay for your collection service?
A. You will never have to pay any “up front” money out of pocket in any fees! All services are performed on contingency. National Child Support also does not charge an application fee. We only get paid when you get paid. We charge a flat 34 percent commission on each payment collected. All payments are applied towards the back support amount you hired us to collect. Remember, most states allow you, the custodial parent, to add interest to your uncollected balance. This added interest when collected can cover a large portion of our fee.
Q. What if my case has been closed by a government child support agency, do I still have the right to collect?
A. Yes, in most cases, National Child Support can pursue your delinquent child support even if the government child support agency will not. A government child support agency is only one of many a choices a citizen custodial parent like you has to try to enforce a child support arrears order. It is “your case”, you own it! Just because the free public service government child support agency gave up on trying to collect your case doesn’t mean you are forbidden from trying a different enforcement method!
Q. If my children are over 18, can I collect?
A. Yes, in most cases there is no statute of limitation on the period of time you have to attempt to collect upon back support. In the vast majority of cases across the U.S., the unpaid child support is still owed and can still be collected.
Q. How can I determine the amount of back child support owed to me?
A. if you have an open case with a government child support agency, then contact them. They can send you a statement of arrears. If you have not been working with a government child support office, or if a government child support office has closed your case, you will need to research your own records to determine the correct balance. Upon hiring National Child Support, we can help you determine your balance and will provide you with an affidavit of indebtedness (based upon the information you provide us!) that you can then sign off on.
Q. How long will it take to collect my child support?
A. Since we can’t get paid until you do, our staff is highly motivated to collect your child support as quickly as possible. Each case is different, however, on average on cases (where we are successful) we either collect in full or begin payment flow within 90 to 180 days.
Q. Are there any forms to fill out?
A. Yes. Our forms are simple to complete. You may download the forms from this Web site. Plus, we’re here to help. Your call center representative will be happy to assist you with anything you need to get started. Call us anytime at 1-888-95-CHILD.
Q. Will I have to go to court?
A. In most cases, if the absent parent will cooperate voluntarily, you do not need to return to court if you have a court order to receive child support. If assets and income are verified and the absent parent refuses to cooperate voluntarily, court action may be recommended to you. However, testimony by telephone is most always approved on these out of State cases.
Q. Do you work nationwide?
A. Yes. We can help parents anywhere in the United States.
Q. How can I be sure that once payments start they won’t stop again?
A. We are proud of our record. We’ll be there to be sure you get paid consistently. Our systems and procedures are designed for ongoing collection. We follow up on all payments to be sure you get the money that you are due. Remember: We get your payments for you, or we don’t get paid.
Q. Once National Child Support collects the arrearage, will 34 percent continue to be taken out of the “ongoing” monthly child support payments?
A. Once the National Child Support collects the arrearage you placed with us in full, you have the right to terminate our services and to begin to receive 100% of your current monthly child support. However, if the absent parent stops paying you again, many clients come back to us for help a second time and if you need us again we will be there to help you!
Q. What is National Child Support’s success rate?
A. We locate 80 percent of absent parents; of these, we activate payments on approximately 50 percent of them.
Q. What can National Child Support do differently than the government agency that I have been trying to work with?
A. Once the National Child Support collects the arrearage you placed with us in full, you have the right to terminate our services and to begin to receive 100% of your current monthly child support. However, if the absent parent stops paying you again, many clients come back to us for help a second time and if you need us again we will be there to help you!
Q. Can National Child Support add medical expenses that the absent parent is ordered to pay to my child support balance?
A. Yes, if there is a court-ordered judgment for medical bills owed then NCS can attempt to enforce on this as well.
Q. Can National Child Support collect spousal support that the absent parent is ordered to pay?
A. Yes, as long as it is legally ordered by a court.
Q. Can National Child Support intercept the absent parent’s tax refund?
A. No, only a government agency can intercept a tax refund.
Q. How can I get a copy of my divorce decree or court order for support?
A. Call the Clerk of Courts in the county where you were divorced and ask them to send you a copy of your decree. They may charge a small fee to make copies.
Q. Is the absent parent responsible for the commission you charge?
A. No, however, under Federal and State law each missed payment of support is an automatic court judgment that draws interest. Most government child support offices do not add or attempt to collect this interest you are legally due. But National Child Support can generally add interest to the balance owed, often covering a large portion of our fee.
