{"id":351703,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/child-support\/getting-child-support-checklist.html"},"modified":"2023-06-13T09:41:27","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T14:41:27","slug":"getting-child-support-checklist","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/getting-child-support-checklist.html","title":{"rendered":"Getting Child Support Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Getting Child Support Checklist<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Hal Armstrong, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Child support helps ensure both parents provide for the minor child’s needs. Getting child support is a legal process with several steps. This checklist can help you stay organized as you pursue child support. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Given that the day-to-day stresses of being both a parent and a provider only increase as your child ages, it may be time to ask your ex for financial help. After all, both parents have a child support obligation. <\/p>\r\n

1. Locate Your Child’s Other Parent<\/h2>\r\n

The first step in the process is to make sure you know the location or whereabouts of your ex (i.e., their address, employer, and other contact information). If you have personal information, such as their birthdate or Social Security number, then that’s even better. The more information you have about the parent, the more likely you can locate them. This step is important because a court can only order support payments with this information.<\/p>\r\n

If you do not know this information, you may be entitled to free assistance to locate the other parent through your state child support agency<\/a>. These state agencies have several resources to determine your ex’s whereabouts, including:<\/p>\r\n