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Indiana Child Support Enforcement Resource Center
- Being posted on Indiana’s Child Support Deadbeat Dads & Moms website.
- Income withholding via the non-custodial parent’s employer
- Interception of income tax refunds (state and federal)
- Interception of unemployment compensation benefits
- Interception of lottery winnings
- Credit bureau reporting
- Driver’s and professional license suspension
- Financial institution data match (location and seizure of bank assets)
- Hunting and fishing license suspension
- Passport application denial
- Federal loan data matching
- Liens: BMV and other personal property.
Who Can Enforce Court-Ordered Child Support in Indiana?
The official child support enforcement agency in Indiana is the Child Support Bureau of the Department of Child Services. The State of Indiana is required by federal law to provide child support enforcement services. These services are funded by the federal government and the State of Indiana.
| INDIANA CHILD SUPPORT BUREAU CASELOAD STATISTICS1 | |
|---|---|
| Full Time Equiv. Staff | 903 |
| Total Caseload | 341,097 |
1 U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement, Boxscores for FY 2005
Interest on Missed Indiana Child Support Payments
Indiana charges interest on missed payments if the amount in arrears is determined in a court entry, interest accrues at rate of 8% per annum.
If the court has adjudicated an accrued arrearage, interest is charged on retroactive support at 8% per annum.
If court adjudicates an accrued arrearage, interest – per Indiana state law on judgments – accrues at 8% on the adjudicated amount. In addition – per specific child support only statute – the court may order interest at up to 1.5% per month.
Indiana’s Statute of Limitations on Back Child Support Payments (Arrears)
Indiana limits enforcement of child support orders to 10 years after the child turns 18 years old or the date of emancipation, whichever is earlier. The statute of limitations for Indiana child support judgments is 20 years.
Indiana’s Statute of Limitations on Determining Paternity
Indiana’s statute of limitations for paternity states that the child may file any time prior to their 20th birthday.
Age of Emancipation / Age of Majority in Indiana
Indiana Code (IC 31-16-6-6) sets the age of emancipation at 19 years of age.
In Indiana, child support is automatically terminated at age 19, unless the child has been determined to be legally incapacitated or an order for educational support beyond high school is established prior to the child turning 19.
How Are Child Support Payment Amounts Determined in Indiana?
Indiana’s Supreme Court issues a compilation of instructions for determining child support payments called the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines. They are binding in every Indiana court having jurisdiction over child support.
A copy of the Weekly Payment Schedules is available from the State of Indiana’s website.
Custody and Visitation Issues
Child support and visitation rights are separate issues. The court determines both and will usually order the non-custodial parent to pay support and the custodial parent to make the child available for visits.
The custodial parent must obey the court order for visitation, even if the non-custodial parent cannot or will not pay child support. The court can enforce any of its orders against either parent.