Steps to Take Before Filing for Child Support

If you are interested in filing for child support, there are a few steps you need to take beforehand.

The first place you should visit is your local Office of Child Support Enforcement. The officials there will help you decide which documents you need to file, as well as what additional documents you will need to provide in order to do so. Depending on the relationship between you and your child's father, you may have to take additional steps. For example, if you were never married to the father of your child, the Office will ask you to provide proof of paternity. If you cannot furnish proof, the Office will then attempt to obtain genetic proof from the father.

When you are not sure where this person is located, the Office can help you find him. In addition to your own resources, you can use the Federal Parent Locator Services (FLPS), which is funded by the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), as well as the State Directories of New Hires (SDNH) and State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs).

When you are ready to ask for the child support funds that you need, call a family law attorney now to discuss your legal options.