Arizona Child Support
How to Apply for Child Support in Arizona
A person can download an official Application for Child Support Services, request an application in writing, contact the state's Interactive Voice Response Telephone System (IVR) or pick up an application at a local support office. Download Forms.
Arizona Child Support Calculator
Support in Arizona is determined using the monthly gross incomes of both parents, the amount of parenting time involved and the average totals that are spent by intact families in the state.
Arizona Child Support Payment
Support payments in Arizona can be made online, by phone, in person, at a support office or at a walk-in retail location and received via direct deposit or the Arizona Electronic Payment Card.
Child Support Performance Stats for Arizona
The Arizona Department of Economic Security manages the Arizona Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) and keeps track of all performance statistics for the program.
Statistics for Regular On-Time Payments Collection
Other Incentive Performance Measures
| Performance Measures | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Paternity Establishment (%) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| IV-D Paternity Establishment (%) | 130.3 | 131.36 | 134.57 | 139.58 | 145.06 |
| Support Order Establishment (%) | 84.92 | 85.37 | 86.78 | 87.7 | 87.81 |
| Cost-Effectiveness ($) | 5.9 | 6.15 | 5.87 | 5.35 | 4.98 |
Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program
Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Distributed Collections ($) | 323.09 | 322.56 | 317.2 | 313.94 | 312.07 |
| Total Distributed to Families ($) | 305.24 | 306.65 | 302.5 | 300.97 | 300.7 |
| Total Administrative Expenditures ($) | 62.41 | 59.86 | 61.83 | 66.53 | 70.43 |
Average Collections per Case with Collections
Can the support be paid off early or stopped?
Yes, it is possible to make payments in advance in Arizona.
What Will happen if You fall Behind the Support Payment?
Arizona's laws provide the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) with the authority to pursue many enforcement remedies against you.
Can you get alimony and child support at the same time?
Yes, support and alimony can be received simultaneously without any conflict.
Can you stop the support payments?
No, payments cannot stop unless a court's permission has been given.
Child Support and Taxes
Support payments should not affect the way you pay taxes in Arizona.
Can child support payments be claimed on taxes in Arizona?
No, you can't claim support payments on your taxes in Arizona.
How does the support affect my taxes in Arizona?
Support payments are not considered income and cannot be used for deductions.
Can child support be taken pre-tax?
No, Arizona does not allow parents to make support payments on a pre-tax basis.
Can child support Take my federal tax return?
Yes, the seizure of federal tax refunds is one of the many penalties that delinquent parents face in Arizona.
Paternity Establishment
You must establish paternity before any rights can be granted or any support orders can be established.
How do you establish paternity?
Paternity can be established voluntarily, through a court hearing via the Assistant Attorney General’s Office or through a private court procedure.
What rights does a father have if not on birth certificate?
A father does not have any rights until paternity is established.
Can a mother refuse me paternity test?
A local DCSS office will conduct a paternity test at the request of either parent.
How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?
You would typically be able to use the DNA of a family member in this case.
Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?
Arizona law makes it possible for a court to order testing if one parent is uncooperative with establishing paternity.
How long does a father have to establish paternity in Arizona?
Paternity can be established until the age of 18 in Arizona.
Support Order Establishment
The Arizona Supreme Court Child Support Guidelines are used when creating orders in the state.
State Child Support Orders
Can child support be modified?
Yes, both parents can request modifications. It can be modified at any time when there has been a significant and continuing change within a household. It is highly suggested that you seek legal advice before requesting to modify a support order in Arizona.
How do I file for a modification of child support?
You can complete a modification packet and mail it to the department's Maricopa County office or a local office.
Can the support order be appealed?
Yes, you may file a motion for reconsideration with the court within 15 days of an order's creation.
Child Support Enforcement
How long does the child support enforcement take?
While income withholding as an enforcement penalty is relatively instant, other remedies may take longer.
What to do when child support is not paid?
You must alert the office that is handling your case.
What Happens if I’m not paying Child support?
You will face income withholding, asset seizure, credit reporting, lien records, the suspension or revocation of licenses and more.
How much overdue child support payment can be considered a felony?
A support that is overdue by two years or that totals $10,000 or more can result in felony charges and court records in Arizona.
Can child support debt be forgiven?
Yes, Arizona has a program for reducing back child support if parents meet certain conditions.
Support Order Termination
How do I stop a child support order?
You will need to make a request through the court if you believe a qualifying circumstance has occurred that justifies ending payment. The legal age to stop paying the support is 19 years old
When Can I Apply for Child Support Termination?
When your child reaches the legal age of emancipation in Arizona, when your child becomes emancipated early or when a custody situation changes.
Can the custodial parent close a support case?
Yes, a custodial parent can submit a written request to close a case as long as no back payments are owed to the state.
When Can I Stop Paying the Support?
When a child reaches the legal age of emancipation in Arizona or if another qualifying circumstance occurs. The legal age to stop paying the support is 19 years old.
Arizona Hearing Rights
Both custodial and non-custodial parents in Arizona have hearing rights regarding the creation or modification of orders.
Arizona Child Support Guidelines
Arizona has a set of child support laws an in place to establish a standard of support for children that's consistent with the reasonable abilities of parents.
AZ Child Support Coverage
What is the support meant to cover?
Support in Arizona covers food, shelter, medical care, entertainment and all of the other essentials that go into raising a child.
Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?
Yes, it is expected that a non-custodial parent will provide medical coverage if it is available or pay a portion of medical expenses.
What if Both Parents are working, will the Support Cover child care services?
Yes, support will cover all childcare expense that is appropriate based on a parent's financial abilities.
Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by Support?
Yes, the cost of transportation can be factored into total support amounts.
What is Considered Basic Entertainment for the Support Order?
Basic entertainment can cover Internet access, movies, television access, tickets to events and more.
Are School and College expenses Covered by Child Support in Arizona?
All reasonable and necessary expenses related to attending school should be covered.
Parents in Arizona have no legal obligation to support a child through college or pay any expenses related to college.
Are Extracurricular Activities covered by Support?
Yes, fees for extracurricular activities can be covered.
Arizona Child Support Offices
| Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ Child Support Office | 1185 South Redondo Center Drive Yuma, AZ | yumaclerkinfo@courts.az.gov | (928) 247-8635 | https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/arizona-child-support-services |
| Division of Child Support Services, Arizona Department of Economic Security | Phoenix, Arizona 85067-0458 | N/A | (800) 882-4151 |
County Child Support Offices in AZ
| County name | Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa County | Maricopa County, AZ DCSS Maricopa North Region Office | 11420 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85029 | N/A | 1(602) 252-4045 | https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/child-support/arizona-child-support-payments-local-offices |
| Maricopa County | Maricopa County, AZ DCSS Maricopa South Region Office | 515 N. 51st Ave., Suite 120, Phoenix, AZ 85043 | N/A | 1(602) 252-4045 | https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/child-support/arizona-child-support-payments-local-offices |
| Maricopa County | Maricopa County, AZ DCSS Maricopa East Region Office | 125 E. Elliot Rd., Chandler, AZ 85225 | N/A | 1(602) 252-4045 | https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/child-support/arizona-child-support-payments-local-offices |
Download Child support Forms for Arizona
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| Request for Title IV-D Child Support Services and Applicant's Rights and Responsibilities | CS-167 |
| Child Support Modification Packet | CSE-1178A |
| PETITION TO ESTABLISH CHILD SUPPORT | DRES11f-120716 |