DES Child Support Team Helps Parent Settle on Years-Old Case

Life circumstances can make fulfilling a child support obligation difficult. Economic fluctuation, estrangement from a former partner and parent to a child, and other complications can be barriers for support-paying parents to consistently pay, causing them to accrue child support debt.

The DES Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) Settlements Team can help parents who pay child support, like Michelle Ashton, through unforeseen circumstances so they can ensure their child or children receive the support they need. With their assistance, Michelle was able to settle a long and stressful child support case for her son, which began in 2010.

Unpaid child support, also known as arrears, can add up quickly and is subject to enforcement remedies, which can include passport revocation. As the years passed and Michelle’s son grew older, he joined the military. Officials advised her to maintain a current passport in case of an emergency while her son was overseas. However, Michelle knew she wouldn’t be able to acquire one since it was revoked from the child support case years earlier.

A short time later in 2021, Michelle received an inheritance, which became the solution to her problem. A relative explained that DCSS has a Settlement Program and encouraged her to contact them about the case from 2010. In some cases, DCSS can help child support payors get back on track with various programs, including the Settlement Program. Settlement Supervisor, John explains, “Settlements have provided resolution to caretakers who may have been stuck in limbo without payments for years.”

Michelle and her current spouse agreed that settling the case would be the best decision for their family. “If you come into a sum of money like an inheritance or tax return, consider settling your child support debt because once it’s gone, the sky's the limit,” she advised.

Michelle grew anxious to reopen an old and stressful chapter of her life. “It was a daunting and very overwhelming process. I thought I would have to communicate with my ex.” With some courage, she contacted the DCSS Settlement Team. She first explained the situation to her Child Support Officer, Debra, who paired her with Child Support Officer, Kaliah. “Debra and Kaliah treated me kindly and were incredibly patient with all of my questions,” Michelle said. “Had they not explained every detail the way they did, I can’t say I would have followed through with the settlement process.”

The Settlement Team is skilled at objectively educating clients about what is and is not negotiable for compromise on arrears. While remaining neutral and impartial, the team communicated between both parties, which was a huge relief for Michelle. “This entire thing happened without him and I ever speaking,” she said.

Kahlia worked closely with the state where the other parent lived to assure the case information was accurate and contact was made with the other parent. “She really just kept me informed the entire time,” Michelle said. Once the settlement was accepted, Kaliah and Debra were able to close the case and Michelle was able to obtain a passport. “I feel I’ve been released, I’ve been freed. It’s awesome,” said Michelle.

Kaliah explained, “Customers most appreciate us being an intermediary and active listener with thorough communication. It’s also rewarding to get the unexpected payments to the families in need especially after the pandemic. It’s needed more now than ever.”

If you have a child support case with a large arrears balance and would like to consider settling, contact the DCSS Customer Service Center at 602-252-4045 or 1-800-882-4151, or email the DCSS Settlement Team at [email protected] to submit your settlement offer. For more information on child support services, please visit des.az.gov/dcss.