Home » Offices » Attorney » Child Support Enforcement

Child Support Enforcement

The Child Support function is responsible for the establishment of paternity and child support orders as well as the enforcement of child support orders. These matters are considered Civil and are heard in District Court.

Nebraska has a centralized collection and disbursement of child support payments. Payments must be sent to the State of Nebraska for processing:
Child Support Payment Center
Nebraska Child Support Payment Center
PO Box 82600
Lincoln, NE 68501-2600

If you are an employer required by court order to withhold child or other support payments from the payroll of an employee, payments are made to:
Nebraska Child Support Payment Center
PO Box 82890
Lincoln, NE 68501-2890
 
The most up-to-date information about your Child Support case can be obtained by contacting the Nebraska Child Support Call Center at (877) 631-9973.
 
If you request a review or modification of your Child Support Orders that have existed for at least three (3) years, call (800) 831-4573. If calling from outside Nebraska, call (402) 471-9103. Online inquiries can be made at Nebraska HHS-Child Support
 
The Child Support Enforcement Program helps children obtain financial support.  Child support is an amount of money that a parent(s) pays on behalf of their children. The amount of child support is ordered by the court.
 
What Services Does Child Support Enforcement Provide?
  • locating parents;
  • establishing paternity;
  • establishing and modifying child or medical support orders; and
  • enforcing child, spousal and medical support orders.
Child Support Enforcement cannot help parents with visitation or custody issues. You will need to contact a private attorney for help in these areas.

Locating Parents
The first step in providing services is to locate both parents. The most helpful tool in locating parents is information provided by you. Child Support Enforcement can often find parents by:
  • Using the parent’s Social Security number;
  • Calling friends and family;
  • Contacting the Post Office;
  • Contacting employers;
  • Checking credit records; and
  • Contacting other states.
Establishing Paternity
Establishing paternity is the legal term for determining the biological father of the child. If a father is not listed on the birth certificate, legal paternity must be established. 

Hospital Paternity Program
Acknowledgment of Paternity Forms are available at hospitals and can be completed at the time of the child's birth. The first step in establishing a child’s paternity is completion of this form by the biological parents, which may be used as evidence in establishing a court order.

How Genetic Tests Work
Genetic testing is another method used in determining a child's paternity. The mother, child, and alleged father will be tested, which can take place in the child support office, hospital or clinic. 

Establishing an Order
To create a support order, the child support agency needs some basic information, such as:
  • Names of parents and children;
  • Social Security numbers;
  • Addresses;
  • Phone numbers; and
  • Income of parents.
The child support attorney will use the information to decide if a court action is needed. The court may issue a support order.

When Parents Live in Different States
If one parent lives in a different state, Child Support will work with the other state to create or change a support order. 

Modifying an order
There may be times when the amount of support ordered should be changed. Child Support Enforcement may review a support order once every three years. When a case is reviewed, the support ordered amount may stay the same, increase, or decrease.

To apply for a Review and Modification:
Modification
After the review is complete, the case is sent to the local attorney. The attorney will decide if the case should go to court. The court makes the final decision if the support order will be changed.  

Enforcing Child, Spousal and Medical Support Orders
These and other enforcement methods may be used. The most common methods are:
  • Income Withholding  Income withholding is the most effective way to collect child support. Money is taken directly out of the parent’s paycheck.
  • Credit Reporting  Past due support over $500 will be reported to the credit agency.
  • License Suspension  If more than three months of past due support is owed these licenses may be suspended: Diver's (except CDL), Recreational (hunting, fishing) and Professional
  • Tax Refund Intercept  A parent’s tax refund may be taken if a case is three months behind and more than $500 of past due support is owed.
  • Passport Denial  A parent’s passport may be withheld if more than $2,500 of past due support is owed.
  • Court Enforcement - The courts may also enforce using many different methods such as: Payment plan, Fine and Jail time.
Top