On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child support on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
Custodial parents depend on child support payments for many reasons, from medical expenses and buying food to purchasing clothes for school. In Jackson County, Missouri, and throughout the country, raising a child can be very expensive and parents should remain committed to providing their children with all of the tools they need. However, for both non-custodial and custodial parents, every situation is different.
In Missouri, people are only able to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) cash benefits for 45 months because of a bill that was passed in 2014. Before the bill was approved, Missourians could receive TANF benefits for up to 60 months. Following the reform, a number of changes have been seen across the state, some of which involve child support, according to experts.
A woman who works for the Washington County Missouri Workforce Development Center as a case manager claims that more people are pursuing child support as a result of the recent welfare reform. According to the case manager, TANF benefits were greater than child support payments, causing some to forego child support payments at the time. With the reduced TANF eligibility period, some people have been looking to their child’s other parent for support.
Child support matters can wreak havoc for parents on both sides, which underlines the importance of handling them correctly. Those required to pay child support may face harsh penalties if they do not, while those entitled to receive payments may suffer financially if child support is not paid. For parents dealing with these types of issues, discussing their circumstances with a legal professional may be beneficial.
Source: St. Louis Review, “Trends emerge after reform of welfare in Missouri,” Joseph Kenny, Oct. 20, 2016
