How do you locate a parent?
In order to effectively obtain an order, establish paternity, change an order, or enforce a support order, Stearns County must have the current address or employment information for the other parent. The Child Support office uses a variety of tools to find the other parent. An important location source is the other parent’s social security number. We can use the social security number to locate address or employment information. We are not able to locate every parent, but the more information you are able to supply the greater our chances will be of finding the other parent and collecting support.
Why should I establish who the father of my child is?
Establishing paternity for children born outside of marriage gives children the same legal rights as children born to married parents. Children with legal fathers may have rights to benefits through their fathers, including some of the following:
- Veterans Benefits
- Rights of Inheritance
- Social Security Benefits
- Tribal Registration Benefits
- Health Care Coverage
- Workers Compensation Benefits
Children may have further benefits like knowing their biological, cultural, and medical history.
Children deserve the love and support of both parents. Making sure a child has a legal father is a wonderful gift for all children.
How is paternity established?
Parents can voluntarily sign a form called the Recognition of Parentage. Signing and properly filing the Recognition of Parentage form establishes the father and child relationship. If parents are not sure, they can have genetic testing done. Stearns County generally uses a DNA test involving a cheek swab.
If the custodial parent or the alleged father denies that he is the child’s father, a court can determine paternity. A court order may require genetic testing. It may be required that both the mother and alleged father testify at the court hearing.
How do I establish a support order?
A support order is issued by a court that indicates the amount of support a parent must pay. After the court order is entered it becomes part of the courts records. The order may be part of a separation, divorce, or paternity action. The amount ordered by the court is frequently on a per-month basis.
How are the payments managed? Where can I get more information?
If support is collected on your case, you would receive the current child support if you or your children receive MFIP. The state will keep support, paid on arrears, to reimburse MFIP or AFDC issued to you and your children. The support collected and owed to you will be sent to you generally within two days of collection.
For payment information, you may call the Interactive Voice Response Line (IVR) at 1-800-657-3512 outside the metro area, or (651) 215-5630 for local and metro area callers, or TYY at 1-888-234-1208 outside the metro area, or (651) 215-5629 for local and metro area callers. You must know your personal identification number (PIN) to use the IVR.
Minnesota Child Support Online is an interactive web site developed by the State of Minnesota to provide child support participants with information about their case(s). You must know your personal identification number (PIN) and your participant number to use the web site. To visit the web site, go to Minnesota Child Support Online.
You may authorize the state to deposit your child support payments into your checking account. Contact the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Help Desk at (651) 215-5630 or 1-800-657-3512 for more information.
What tools do you use to collect support?
Most support is collected by withholding income from a parent’s paycheck. Effective November 1, 1990, income withholding has been required with every new or changed court order for support.
Additional tools used for enforcement include:
- Intercepting federal and state income and property tax refunds and lottery winnings
- Making reports to credit bureaus
- Passport denial
- Suspending driver’s, occupational, and recreational licenses
- New hire reporting by employers
- Judgment entry and interest charging
- Denial of student grants
- Asking the court for contempt of court orders
Can I get my order changed?
You may request us to review your support order for modification at any time. If you request a review or a modification, there should be significant change in income or other circumstances on your part or on the part of the other parent. When determining if a change in the order is necessary we use State guidelines. The amount of the support order may increase, decrease, or stay the same. We will usually also review medical and child care support as well.
Will my support increase?
Most support orders entered in Minnesota include a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). COLA is an increase in the Child Support amount based on a change in the consumer price index. Most COLAs take place every two years. If your order includes a COLA, Stearns County will enforce it.
What if the parents live in different states?
Through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), it is possible for child support agencies in different states to work cooperatively to establish and enforce child support orders. Typically, when more than one state is involved in child support establishment or child support enforcement, it requires more time as cases need to be processed in each state.
More Information
For more child support information, visit:
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Child Support Enforcement Division at www.dhs.state.mn.us/ECS/ChildSupport/Default.htm
or the US Department of Health and Human Services Federal site at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse.