Mary Smith’s divorce was final and she hoped her headaches were over. The court had ordered her ex-husband to make monthly payments in support of their two children, and although the amount of support was not much, Mary expected the money would help her in paying for the children’s clothing, food, and shelter. Unfortunately Mary’s headaches just began. When Mary’s ex-husband did pay support, which was rare, it was always late, and never the full amount. As a result, Mary was forced to bear the responsibility of supporting their children alone. Does Mary’s story sound familiar?

Unfortunately, Mary’s story is all too familiar. Custodial parents throughout the nation are not receiving court ordered child support, and as a result millions of children are not provided for in the manner they deserve. Moreover, custodial parents routinely give up in their quest to receive support, which is tragic, considering the enforcement methods available to them.

In this article we will explore the various methods available in the collection of child support and discuss the importance of vigorously pursuing such matters.

First of all, custodial parents should know that there are a variety of enforcement mechanisms provided by law to assist in the collection of child support. The following list constitutes some of the tools that are available to custodial parents:

Wage Assignment

An earnings assignment order for support, commonly referred to as a “wage assignment,” is available for enforcement of child and spousal support orders, and is probably the most effective and commonly used enforcement method. An earnings assignment order for support is binding on an employer of the obligor on whom it is served, regardless of whether the obligor was employed by that employer when the order was issued and regardless of whether the obligor was employed by that employer when the order was issued and regardless of whether the order lacks identifying information about the employer or includes incorrect information about the employer. California Family Code, Section 5231.

Earnings assignment orders for support must require that the obligor notify the obligee of any change of employment, and of the name and address of the new employer, within ten days after obtaining new employment. California Family Code, Section 5281.

Writ of Execution

A writ of execution is an order to a county’s levying officer (i.e., its sheriff or marshal), or to a registered process server, to obtain satisfaction of a judgment for a judgment creditor. The writ may be executed by (1) seizing funds of the judgment debtor and delivering them to the judgment creditor, (2) seizing and delivering real or tangible personal property, or (3) seizing and selling real or tangible personal property and delivering the proceeds.

Judgment Lien on Real Property

A judgment lien on real property to enforce a money judgment may be created by recordation. The particular document to be recorded depends on the nature of the money judgment being enforced. When the underlying money judgment is an order for child, spousal, or family support payable in installments, the lien is usually created by recording an Abstract of Support Judgment. The judgment lien is simple and sometimes very effective enforcement method that should not be overlooked. The benefit from the lien is usually realized when the judgment debtor attempts (1) to sell real property in a county in which the document is recorded or (2) to obtain a loan to be secured by real property located in such a county. The prospective purchaser or lender will probably insist that any liens be paid off.

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