Understanding Child Support 

Many studies have been done to examine the long-term effects due to financial disruption common in divorce.  These studies often show the difficulties in providing for and raising a child/children by a single parent.  Child support is a means to help insure that a child will have the basic essentials needed for day-to-day life.  The Illinois state lawmakers have attempted to fashion legislation to protect the children from impoverishment with an ever increasing federal involvement.  One example of this federal participation was seen in a case from 2003 United States v. Klinzing, 315 F 3d 803 (7th cir. 2003) where the United State Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld as constitutional the deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1998 (DPPA), 18 U.S.C. 228, et seq.  The DPPA allows for criminal prosecution and penalties of the willful non-payment of past due child support owed to children who live outside the state of the non-custodial parent.

Unfortunately, there are no simple fixes to such a complicated matter, and many deadbeats continue to avoid their financial responsibilities.   Many parents and practitioners believe the well-intentioned legislative protections are aimed at the common denominators.  Where by leaving more individual and specific problems overlooked like custodial parents who require more support or the non-custodial parents who are not in a position to pay the “normal” percentages and most important, not for the children.

See Also:

Child Support Guidelines

What if the Guidelines for child support are not adequate or appropriate?

Legal Obligation To Provide Support 

How is Support Calculated