So you’ve got a child support order. Congratulations. Now what? If you’re lucky and the payor is a conscientious person, you’ll be paid regularly, on time, and you’ll get the right amount. If you’re not that lucky, then welcome to that very popular club for people who need to learn how to get blood from a turnip (turnips- that’s what I sometimes call people who don’t pay child support – I’m sure you’ve got a better name for them).
The simplest way to enforce your order (and the least expensive) is to pick up the phone (or visit the website) of your local DCSS (Department of Child Support Services). They are charged with the ominous task of getting blood from the turnips, er, that is, collecting child support and keeping track of who paid what when and where. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it. They do not technically represent anyone but the state, so they do not represent you. However, the state (California in this case) has a vested interest in keeping its children supported. If DCSS takes over enforcement of the support order, then they’ll start collecting on your behalf and send you a check (or even direct deposit) every month. They usually use a legal document called a wage assignment to do the deed. A wage assignment is served upon the payor’s employer and the employer is obliged to take money out of the payor’s check and forward it to the disbursement unit at DCSS.
It’s that easy. Once you get the ball rolling, the DCSS is on the case.
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