Many custodial parents in North Carolina and throughout the country experience the challenges of raising a child alone. The report “Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support” illustrates the prevalence of child custody and support issues. Courts are more likely to become involved in child support agreements.
Out of all the child support agreements that were studied in the report, 10 percent were developed without any form of court involvement. Nearly 90 percent of child support agreements were formal and developed with the assistance of the courts. The report states that 22.4 percent of parents had to have the courts become involved in enforcement-related activities due to delinquent payments or nonpayment.
Payment issues are a common problem for custodial parents. In 2013, a reported $32.9 billion in child support was in arrears. On average, parents with custody of the minor children receive $329 a month in child support. Although the average dollar amount owed for annual child support is $5,774, parents only receive about $3,950. Forty-five percent of parents receive the total amount of child support owed them.
Making due with less is the norm for custodial parents. The average parent receives approximately $500 per month. About 26 percent of parents receive no child support at all. Where some parents receive no child support, 61.7 percent of custodial parents receive some sort of non-cash support.
Single mothers are more likely to receive child support than custodial fathers. The report indicates that 52.3 percent of custodial mothers receive child support when compared to 31.4 percent of fathers.
When a person is in the process of making arrangements for child support and custody, it may be beneficial to get an attorney involved. Everyday expenses and medical expenses are factored into the support agreement. Should there be a need for an agreement modification due to income or a change in a financial situation, an attorney may be able to help.