Many were surprised to hear that Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry received a court order to pay over $16,000 a month in child support to her ex Gabriel Aubry to provide for their 6-year-old daugher Nahla.
“Love and Hip-Hop” star Stevie J. was arrested recently for allegedly failing to pay $1.2 million in child support over the span of 14 years to care for his two children with ex-girlfriend Carol Bennett.
These celebrities may be in the news for their child support woes, but truth is, there also are many Hoosiers who are skirting child support.
According to the Indiana Department of Child Services, last year 11 notorious child support evaders were found owing $479,123.12 in arrearage and this year, one has been found owing $51,883.38 in arrearage.
But the Marion County Clerk’s Office said Indiana law is designed to help not harm payees.
The federal government requires all states to provide child support services called the Title IV-D Child Support Program. The program exists to help custodial parents locate non-custodial parents, establish paternity and child support orders, and enforce payments.
In Indiana, the Title IV-D program is administered by the Department of Child Services Support Bureau. Child support orders are determined by the courts and governed by the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines, which are issued by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Among other things, the Rules and Guidelines calculate child support as a share of each parent’s income and address special considerations and parenting time.
The courts also determine the frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly) payments are made.
Payments are collected by the Clerk’s Office.
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said due to the confidential nature of child support payments, and the fact that his office is responsible for handling enforcement, questions about payments can be directed to his office.
If custodial or non-custodial parents have any questions about their child support orders, they can also reach out to the Department of Child Services.
Individuals with questions about cash or credit card payments, payment history copies, court order copies, or information on how to update their contact information for the Indiana Support Enforcement Tracking System are welcome to contact the Clerk’s Office.
“Our office will help with whatever we can to help parents comply with child support orders. Custodial and non-custodial parents can use us as a resource within the limits of what the Clerk’s Office is responsible for and should check out our website at Indy.gov/clerk to learn more,” said Marion County Clerk, Beth White.
