Child Support: Jackpot Earnings Can Be seized From Child Support

Casino Jackpot? Maybe Not. Another ‘Weapon’ for the Child Support Enforcement Agencies of Ohio

child support ohio jackpotThe State of Ohio has eighty-eight (88) counties and each county has a Child Support Enforcement Agency (“CSEA”) tasked with the collection of child support payments from Obligors (primarily Fathers and former Husbands). For many years, the Child Support Enforcement Agencies have been able to “intercept” Income Tax Refunds of Obligors having arrearages in their child Support Accounts.  Recently, a new “weapon” has been added to the arsenal of the Child Support Agencies.  They can now intercept racino or gambling winnings of Obligors who are behind with child support payments.

In an August 5, 2015 posting, it was reported that two (2) million dollars in unpaid child support had been “seized” from jackpot winners at the state’s casinos and racinos in the last eleven (11) months. (Caveat:  It appears that “deadbeat” Dads are also inclined to gamble!!  I was surprised at the amount of child support seized from gambling earnings!)  To achieve this success rate, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has been working with the casinos and racinos to check “jackpot winners” against a database of Child Support Obligors who owe child support.… Read More... “Child Support: Jackpot Earnings Can Be seized From Child Support”

Child Study: Fathers In-Kind Support For Child

Recent Child Support Study Shows That We May Be Overlooking the In-Kind Support Low-Income, Non-Custodial Fathers Actually Provide

child in-kind support fathersIn a recent article published in The Journal of Marriage and Family, a study of the child support provided by approximately 400 low-income, non-residential fathers suggests that “in-kind” support, that is, support in the form of something other than money, is not typically considered even though it constitutes about one quarter of the total support given. Click here to read the in-kind support study,

Most courts only acknowledge formal or informal support provided (i.e. money paid either directly or indirectly to the mother). The authors of this study argue that many of these low-income fathers provide gifts, food, everyday essentials and services, yet are still labeled “dead-beat dads” because their in-kind support goes unseen by the child support system. As a result, the authors argue that policymakers cannot cure the issues within the system until they have an accurate picture of the situation.

Therefore, the study set out to determine how much in-kind support is being given by these fathers and what their motivation behind giving it is.  In their research, the authors interviewed roughly 400 low-income fathers of different races from … Read More... “Child Study: Fathers In-Kind Support For Child”

Child Support: Should Step-Parents Income Be Considered?

Ohio Law Says Step-Parent’s Income Cannot Be Considered When Determining The Amount Of Child Support Owed

child support incomeGenerally speaking, we as a society tend to be of the mindset that if you decide to have a child, then you should be the one to take care of it…period. In reality, however, the issue is not so cut and dry.  Different circumstances and factors come into play which, in the end, can alter who ultimately provides for a child.  Take, for example, adoption.  While the adoptive parent is not the natural, he or she ultimately chooses to become the child’s caregiver and supporter.  What should happen though, in a case where a person is not the biological parent and does not necessarily choose to be financially responsible for a child, as is often the case with step-parents?  When a person with children from a previous relationship remarries, should the new step-parent be on the hook for child support even when their new spouse is not the primary caregiver?

In Ohio, the answer is no.  According to Ohio Revised Code 3103.03(A), the statutory duty to pay child support is only imposed on biological or adoptive parents.  Therefore, when a couple with … Read More... “Child Support: Should Step-Parents Income Be Considered?”

Domestic Relations Court In Greene County Hires Nidiffer

An Introduction to Greene County Domestic Relations Court Staff Attorney Justin C. Nidiffer

domestic relations court greene county ohio
Justin C. Nidiffer

On February 9, 2015, I traveled to the Domestic Relations Court of Greene County, Ohio to interview Justin C. Nidiffer, the newly hired Staff Attorney for the named Court.  Justin advised me that he had completed an internship with the Court during his last year in law school and that he was so very pleased with that experience.  It was apparent to me that the Domestic Relations Court was very satisfied with Justin’s performance as the Court hired him as their very first Staff Attorney to commence his position on January 1, 2015.

What will Justin’s responsibilities be?

  1. He will be reviewing new cases filed with the Court and examining the pleadings and Financial Affidavits of the parties.  He will then be preparing and filing the Court’s Temporary Orders of Custody and Support.  He will be working closely with Judge Steven Hurley, Magistrate Cynthia Martin, and Magistrate Kimberly Combs.
  2. He will be conducting Case Management Conferences with the attorneys involved in each case.  If a Guardian ad Litem or a Family Investigation is needed, he will prepare the Entry regarding same.  He will
… Read More... “Domestic Relations Court In Greene County Hires Nidiffer”

An Interview with Michael Newsom, Fatherhood Coordinator for the Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency

Michael Newsom Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency

Let us first look at some important statistics published by the National Fatherhood Initiative.

The Effects of Father Absence in the Home of Minor Children:

Children of Father-Absent homes are:

  • Five times more likely to live in poverty.
  • Three times more likely to fail in school.
  • Two times more likely to develop emotional or behavioral problems.
  • Two times more likely to abuse drugs.
  • Two times more likely to be abused and neglected.
  • Two times more likely to become involved in crime.
  • Three times more likely to commit suicide.

Compare the facts with children having Father’s involved in their lives:

  • Better cognitive (“knowing and perceiving”) outcomes.
  • Higher self-esteem and less depression as teenagers.
  • Higher grades, test scores, and overall academic achievement.
  • Lower levels of drug and alcohol use.
  • Higher levels of empathy and other pro-social behavior.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Michael Newsom, an employee of the Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency (“CSEA”).  Historically, Michael (“Mike”) commenced employment with the CSEA in November of 2000 as a Supervisor at the Agency’s Call Center.  He later became an Intake Unit Supervisor and in November of 2010, he became the Fatherhood Coordinator with the Agency.  An alternate title for Mike … Read More... “An Interview with Michael Newsom, Fatherhood Coordinator for the Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency”

Child Support: Should You Talk To A CSEA Ombudsman?

Interview With Montgomery County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency) Ombudsman Anne Bissacco

Child Support CSEA OmbudsmanOn May 28, 2014, I had the opportunity to spend time with Anne Bissacco in an interview for this Ohio Family Law Blog Article.  Anne is the Ombudsman and Customer Relations Supervisor for the Child Support Enforcement Agency (“CSEA”) for Montgomery County, Ohio.  What is an “ombudsman”?  Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the word as follows: “A public official appointed to investigate citizens’ complaints”.  This is exactly the role that Anne performs.  She listens to complaints and works to find solutions for identified problems.

Questions that I posed to the Ombudsman included the following:

Q. How long have you been working for the Child Support Enforcement Agency?  In September of 2014, Anne will have completed thirty-four (34) years of service with the Agency.  For those of us with longevity with the Court, Anne was hired by Judge Arthur Fisher, a former Juvenile Court Judge, as he wanted a person with an accounting background at the Agency.

Q. What is your education and training for holding this position?  Anne graduated from Carroll High School and began to work for the Agency in the Auditing Department in 1980.  Subsequent to … Read More... “Child Support: Should You Talk To A CSEA Ombudsman?”

Name Change For Child – Disputes Between Unmarried Parents

General Factors Ohio Courts Consider When Unmarried Parents Clash Over A Child’s Name Change

name changeThe process of changing your child’s last name (name change) can be quite involved. If there is a dispute between unmarried parents as to their child’s surname, there are some general name change factors that Courts in Ohio consider.

Changing the Name of a Juvenile Child

Bobo v. Jewell, the court described their review process for determining the surname of a child born to unmarried parents.  The elements to be considered in a name change were:

  1. Length of time that the child has used a surname;
  2. The effect of a name change on the father-child relationship and on the mother-child relationship;
  3. The identification of the child as part of a family unit;
  4. The embarrassment, discomfort or inconvenience that may result when a child bears a surname different from the custodial parents;
  5. The preference of the child if the child is of an age and maturity to express a meaningful preference; and,
  6. Any other factor relevant to the child’s best interest. Courts should consider only those factors present in the particular circumstances of each case.

Timothy Bobo and Christina Jewell had a child while unmarried.  Their … Read More... “Name Change For Child – Disputes Between Unmarried Parents”

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