Supportkids Succeeds when State Agencies Fail

Many parents find themselves in difficult situations once child support payments stop, or in some cases, never begin. At first, the difficulties seem manageable, but over time you realize that extra money will take care of things like school supplies, household bills, and clothing. Realizing the downward spiral is fast-approaching, the first place you turn is to the state. More often than not, state agencies give up when the custodial parent doesn't have leads for them to follow. Many states rely on custodial parents to know the whereabouts of the noncustodial parent at all times. The problems arise when noncustodial parents bounce from job to job, move often, and cease contact.

After the end of a five year marriage, I found myself in a hopeless situation of waiting and wondering if my children's father would going to help me support our two small children. After about a year of being divorced, and no support payments coming in, the big picture had become crystal clear - I wouldn't receive a dime unless I fought for it.

I spent the next three years pleading for my state Child Support Enforcement to aid me in collecting the money I desperately needed to keep a roof over my children's heads, and utilities on. I helped as much as I could - I kept records of correspondence, played private investigator, and collected information as to my ex husband's whereabouts and employment. I called Child Support Enforcement daily to feed them information, and much to my dismay, after about three years, they threw their hands up and deemed my ex husband a waste of time.

A waste of time because I was not collecting state aid such as food stamps and welfare checks, as I was advised I should try to receive to put my case on the "priority" list. When I did apply for aid, I was told I didn't qualify because the Kelley Blue Book listing for the car I owned was over $2000, and I had a full time job. Since I was unwilling to sell my car, and ask my employer to put me on part time hours and wages, I was denied assistance. Four more years would pass before I would make a phone call and right a wrong.

During a day off from work, I was watching television and a Supportkids commercial caught my attention. I listened to the testimonials, and when the telephone number was shown, I wrote it down. I didn't pick up the phone and instantly call. Since I had no Internet service at the time, I had reservations about calling a company I wasn't familiar with and answering personal questions not knowing who I was really dealing with. After a few days of thinking things over, and staring at the phone number, I decided to call, but would not be quick to give confidential information right away.

Within minutes of my first phone conversation with Supportkids, I knew I had made a good decision in calling. I wasn't asked to provide any confidential information over the phone, and was only asked general questions such as my name, address, and how much child support my ex husband owed. An application was mailed to me, and from there all I needed to provide was the completed application, a copy of my picture identification, and a copy of my court order. I wasn't asked to play private investigator, Supportkids, did all of the work.

After receiving the call from Supportkids that my case was accepted, and they were beginning work on my case, I felt as if a large weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. After years of begging for my state to help me, and much prayer, I received my first child support payment three months after making a phone call to Supportkids.

I was never asked for any money upfront, and all fees for their services were taken in installments from child support collected. Since my state also withholds fees from child support payments, if they are able to collect, I consider it money well spent. Supportkids doesn't just stop with a few payments and give up, they have continued to find my ex husband the many times he has quit a job or moved to stop wage garnishment.

Supportkids not only employs people that fight for the custodial parents and their children, but they take on cases most state agencies shy away from. Those cases where the noncustodial parent frequently changes jobs or moves around a lot to avoid paying child support. Many Supportkids employees are single parents and former clients, so their dedication to their work comes from having been in the same situation and fighting for their children's support as well. Since Supportkids is not a government agency like your state's Child Support Enforcement office, they don't get paid if you don't receive child support.

The Client Relations department is top notch, returning phone calls and email quickly. Client Advocates take their jobs seriously, and I have never been talked down to or made to feel like I was wasting anyone's time when I call or send email inquiries. In addition to phone service, the website is user friendly, and easy to understand. Even if you are less than Internet savvy, the design of the website is easy to read, and clearly marked tabs help you get the information you want, without wasting time weeding through pages you don't want to read. Each time your case is worked or payments are collected, your account page will list the actions taken, case status, dates of collected payments and when your money will be available.

Payments are no longer made with paper checks mailed to clients. You can either have your child support direct deposited to your bank account, or they will provide a debit card to you, and load your money each time payment is received. If you do not have Internet access all the time, and still need to check on your case, the 24-hour Client Line can be accessed via telephone.

I would recommend Supportkids to anyone in need of child support collection assistance. Many custodial parents and legal guardians give up when their state gives up, but help is out there waiting. The first step is to call or apply online, Supportkids will take care of the rest once they have received all of the necessary information to begin working on your case.