This article will explain how child support orders are enforced in the State of Nevada. If you have any questions about child support enforcement after you read this article, you should contact a family law attorney for advice.
In Nevada, child support is intended to pay for the basic care (food, shelter, clothing, education) and medical support (insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs) of children. In Nevada, the parent who receives child support is known as the "receiving parent" or "obligee," while the parent who has to pay is called "the paying parent" or "obligor."
The parent who has physical custody (meaning, the parent who cares for the children more frequently) spends a greater percentage of time with the children. That parent pays for more of the children's needs by virtue of the fact that they're together more often. So the other parent (also known as the non-custodial parent), who spends less time with the children, has to make regularly scheduled child support payments in order to ensure that each parent is paying a fair share of the children's expenses.
Whether you're divorcing or you've never been married, when your relationship ends you need to get an official child support order. Nevada child support orders are determined according to each parent's gross monthly income and a mathematical formula known as the child support guidelines.
Sometimes, the obligor stops paying child support. No matter the reason, the obligee will need to know what resources are available for enforcing and collecting child support.
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) is a state agency which serves the citizens of Nevada with regard to child support, child care, energy assistance, food, financial help, and medical programs. Within DWSS is the Child Support Enforcement program.
DWSS performs critical child support functions. It uses an administrative (non-judicial) process to:
Child support funds are not paid parent-to-parent, but rather the paying parent pays DWSS. This eliminates a great deal of parental conflict and uncertainty.
DWSS is also responsible for getting child support payments to the receiving parent. Receiving parents can choose to receive payments by direct deposit or via a Nevada Child Support Debit Card. The card is "charged up" with child support payments.
Under the guidance of the DWSS, local District Attorney Family Support (DAFS) divisions enforce child support. DAFS has legal and financial powers it can use to extract money from parents with past-due child support accounts (known as arrearages). They include, but are not limited to: