Common Questions
About child support collection and alimony enforcement
Category List / General Questions
- How can I determine how much back support or spousal support is owed to me?
- How do I get started?
- How is working with Support Collectors different than the government agency I've already been working with?
- How much will it cost for Support Collectors to help? When will I have to pay?
- I don't have a copy of my court order, how do I obtain one?
- I'm concerned about my privacy; will you release my information to anyone?
- What if I don't know where the absent parent is located?
- What should I look for when choosing a private enforcement agency?
- Will I have to appear in Court?
- Will I have to fill out a lot of forms?
- Q: How can I determine how much back support or spousal support is owed to me?
- A: You may contact the government child support agency currently responsible for processing your child support payments. They can send you a statement of arrears. If you have not been working with a government child support office, or if a government child support office has closed your case, you will need to research your own records to determine the correct balance. Upon hiring Support Collectors, we can help you determine your balance and will provide you with an affidavit of indebtedness.
- Q: How do I get started?
- A: You can get started right now. It only takes a few minutes.
- Q: How is working with Support Collectors different than the government agency I've already been working with?
- A: We are able to devote the time and resources to your case and particular needs that government agencies are simply unable to do. These resources include highly trained investigators that will track down even the most evasive absent parent, lawyers that will represent you in court and friendly and helpful support staff. Remember, we don't get paid unless you do!
- Q: How much will it cost for Support Collectors to help? When will I have to pay?
- A: A: When it comes to the cost of our services our philosophy is simple - we don't get paid unless you do. We are so confident in our ability to collect child support that we won't ask for a dime until we have put money in your pocket. Only if we are successful in recovering your unpaid support, will you be charged a fee of 30% of what is collected. You keep 70% of whatever we collect for you. Compare this with other private agencies that charge additional amounts of up to $500 for "intake" or "processing" fees. There are no such fees with Support Collectors.
- Q: I don't have a copy of my court order, how do I obtain one?
- A: You will need to contact the clerk of the court in the county where your divorce or paternity action was finalized. Even if your court order is many years old, the clerk of the court will have a copy. They will instruct you as to what you will need to do in order to obtain one. If you are having trouble, "Contact Us". The contact us page contains a toll free number, fax number, physical address and our email address. Feel free to call us and one of our child support advisors will gladly assist you.
- Q: I'm concerned about my privacy; will you release my information to anyone?
- A: At Support Collectors, we understand that your privacy is very important to you. Therefore, we have a very strict company policy that states that none of your personal information is ever released to anyone.
- Q: What if I don't know where the absent parent is located?
- A: We understand that oftentimes people will lose communication with the absent parent. Fortunately, our services also include a team of licensed private investigators and locate specialists with many years of experience tracking down even the most evasive of absent parents. These are specialized services the government CSE office simply does not have the time or resources to devote to your case. Remember though, it is a team effort and so completing the application to the best of your ability will assist them greatly with their locate efforts.
- Q: What should I look for when choosing a private enforcement agency?
- A: First, you want an enforcement agency that has a proven track record and one that that you are comfortable with and can trust.
You also want to fully understand all the fees associated with their service. Many agencies charge "intake fees" or "application fees" in addition to the percentage contingency fee that is paid out of amounts collected. Regardless of whether these fees are paid upfront or out of your first support payments, these additional fees mean that you will receive less of the money that is collected for you.
You also should be aware of any additional fees that may be charged for hiring attorneys or investigators. Due to the fact that our collection and enforcement system successfully collects in the majority of the cases we handle, we are able to employ skilled collection professionals and provide excellent customer service all while maintaining some of the lowest fees in the industry. To you, this means more of the child support ends up in the hands of those who most need it, you and your children.
Best of all, our fee is very easy to understand and never changes. - Q: Will I have to appear in Court?
- A: In most cases, if you already have an order to receive support you will not need to appear in court to receive support. If necessary, a Support Collectors attorney will represent you in Court.
- Q: Will I have to fill out a lot of forms?
- A: Our forms are easy to complete. You may download the forms from our Website. If you have questions or need assistance, we're here to help. A Support Collectors representative will be happy to assist you with anything you need.
