Child support is money a non-custodial parent pays to the other parent to provide for a child. While child support is gender-neutral under the law — meaning both mothers and fathers can be ordered to pay or entitled to receive child support — the National Fatherhood Initiative reports that fathers are nearly 10 times more likely to be ordered to pay child support than moms. Divorced/separated fathers need a basic understanding of the logistics of making payments. Here, our fathers’ rights attorneys in Naperville and Bolingbrook explain how child support is paid in Illinois.
Parents have the right to handle the logistics of child support payments on their own. A father can pay child support directly to his former partner. However, as a best practice, child support should only be paid directly if there is a child support agreement or child support order in place that explicitly endorses that approach.
If you are an Illinois father who wants to keep child support payments outside of the general “bureaucracy,” you should be prepared to negotiate a child support agreement that is clear, legally enforceable, and contains a structured process outlining exactly how direct payments should be made.
If you are making direct child support payments, it is crucial you do so in a manner that produces comprehensive documentation. Never pay child support in cash — even if you fully trust your former partner to treat you fairly. The reality is that disputes can arise at any point in time. Should there be a disagreement, fathers need reliable evidence indicating how much child support was paid and when payments were made. Be sure to keep your records.
For several reasons, parents may want the state’s assistance in processing child support payments. Child support can be taken directly out of a father’s paycheck — and then rerouted to their former partner. With this approach, there will be no financial interactions between the two parents. The Illinois State Disbursement Unit operates a system that processes child support payments. If you have questions or concerns about getting your child support enforcement and processed through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), our family lawyers are available to help.
Child support payments should be made to the Illinois State Disbursement Unit (SDU). Payments can be made by check, money order, electronic transfer, or in person at regional offices. Make sure to include the court name, case number, and Social Security Number on your payment.
Yes, you can pay child support electronically through methods like automatic withdrawal or credit/debit card payments. You can register for services like ExpertPay or MoneyGram to make these payments.
If you miss a payment, you may face enforcement actions such as wage garnishment, suspension of your driver’s license, or interception of your tax refunds. It’s important to stay current with your payments to avoid these consequences.
To change your child support order, you’ll need to file a petition with the court that issued the original order. You’ll need to show a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in income or the needs of the child.
If you’re struggling to make payments, you can request a review of your child support order. The court may consider modifying the amount based on your current financial situation.
You can check the status of your payments through the Illinois Child Support Program website or by contacting the SDU. You can also sign up for notifications to stay informed about your case.
Failure to pay child support can result in legal consequences such as fines, wage garnishment, and even jail time in extreme cases. It’s important to address any issues with payments promptly to avoid these outcomes.
At Keller Legal Services, our Naperville child support lawyers have the skills and experience to handle the full range of Illinois child support cases. If you are a dad who has questions about the logistics of making child support payments, we are available to offer help. For a confidential consultation, please contact our law firm today. We represent fathers throughout the region, including in Naperville and Bolingbrook.
(Updated 11/4/2024)
