A Child Support Settlement Can Help Move Your Case Forward

Did you know you may be able to settle your child support case?

Child support settlement is when the two parties who take care of and support children who are involved in a child support case make an agreement between themselves regarding child support owed, usually for a lesser overall amount up-front, rather than the original amount over a longer period of time.

For example, the amount owed might be $10,000 instead of the original $35,000, but the $10,000 is paid all at once. This is something a parent may consider when they, for example, receive an inheritance or sell a house.

There can be advantages, and it is the parents’ decision if a settlement makes sense for them.

Advantages could include:

• The support payor may become current on the monthly child support obligation.
• Receiving a larger amount now could be more helpful for the recipient than receiving a lower amount each month.
• Interest accrual, credit bureau reporting, and/or income tax offsets may be stopped. (If there is still an active Arizona child support order, the case will continue to be reported to the credit reporting agencies, and the balance will be adjusted.)
• The amount of income withheld for child support could be adjusted.
• The case may even be closed. (If a case is closed due to a settlement payment, the case will be reported as closed.)

Interested in discussing the option of a settlement offer? Please contact a DCSS representative by emailing [email protected] or calling 602-252-4045.