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Old October 2nd 07, 04:54 AM posted to alt.child-support
whatamess
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Posts: 223
Default new law allows arrears to be erased if making current payments???

Although I think this is great, at the same time, the state of Texas
claims they can't erase arrears because the FEDERAL government doesn't
allow it...HAVE THEY BEEN LYING ALL ALONG???

http://www.mississippifamilylawblog...._to_try_1.html

Maybe Mississippi ought to try this tactic to collect child support?
New law hopes to increase child support collections

A new law in Maryland hopes to reduce the amount of child support
arrearages. Here is the problem. A non-custodial parent is ordered to
pay monthly child support. After a year, the parent gets behind in
child support payments and the amount owed increases. However, the
parent does not have the money to make both the child support payment
and pay off the amount owed in back child support. So what happens?
Little or nothing is paid on the debt. Maryland is offering a solution
and a reprieve to some of its citizens, according to a news report
today.

Under the law, if a person makes 12 consecutive monthly court-ordered
payments, the arrearages is reduced by fifty percent. If the person
makes the payments for 24 months, the balance is reduced to zero.
While not everyone qualifies under the new law, this program does seek
to offer a solution to the problem of non-payment of child support.
Putting the non-custodial parent in jail does little to resolve the
situation. Maybe this financial incentive will get more non-custodial
parents to make good on their financial obligations and serve as a
model for other state legislatures to follow.