Legal Definitions - office of child-support enforcement

The Office of Child-Support Enforcement is a government agency that helps custodial parents collect child support payments from non-custodial parents. This agency was established under Title IV(D) of the Social Security Act.

State and federal offices of child-support enforcement work together to ensure that children receive the financial support they need. The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement has established the Parent-Locator Service to help locate non-custodial parents who owe child support.

For example, if a custodial parent is not receiving child support payments from the non-custodial parent, they can contact the Office of Child-Support Enforcement for assistance. The agency will work to locate the non-custodial parent and enforce child support payments.

Another example is if a non-custodial parent is not paying child support, the Office of Child-Support Enforcement can take legal action to enforce payment. This may include wage garnishment, seizure of assets, or suspension of driver's licenses or passports.