Arkansas Child Support
How To Apply for Child Support in Arkansas
The Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) handles all support cases in the state. This office is a division of the Department of Finance and Administration. A person can apply for services by printing and submitting a request for services online, picking up an application from a local office or calling 501-682-8398 to request an application by phone. Custodial parents who receive Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) are automatically referred to OCSE to receive child support enforcement services. Download Forms.
How Does Arkansas Calculate Child Support?
Support in Arkansas is calculated by factoring in the number of children involved and the gross income of the non-custodial parent. Factors like deductions per pay period, medical expenses for children and other support obligations can also play roles in determining a monthly support amount.
Arkansas Child Support Payment
The Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse receives, records and disburses all support payments. Support payments in Arkansas can be received through the U.S. Bank ReliaCard or via direct deposit. Support payments can be made online, by mail, through income withholding or using MoneyGram.
Child Support Performance Stats for Arkansas
The Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement is assessed every six months. The performance of the program is measured by percentage changes for certain activities.
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 (%)
99.74
98.71
98.57
99.6
100.89
Support Order Establishment (%)
86.22
86.75
89.29
90.5
91.34
Cost-Effectiveness ($)
4.72
4.51
4.5
4.94
4.87
Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program
Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Total Distributed Collections ($)
219.65
227.06
230
234.81
231.19
Total Distributed to Families ($)
213.17
220.78
224.17
229.31
225.99
Total Administrative Expenditures ($)
51.26
55.46
56.16
52.19
52.04
Average Collections per Case with Collections
Can child support be paid off early?
A lump sum can be used to pay off child support early in Arkansas. However, a parent may be obligated to pay more if circumstances change.
What Will happen if You fall Behind Child Support Payment in Arkansas?
You could be taken to court. In addition, you will face everything from seized wages to license suspensions.
Can you get alimony and support at the same time?
Yes, you can get alimony and child support at the same time in Arkansas.
Can you stop the support payments?
Payment can only stop once a child reaches the legal age when support ends. Some conditions regarding custody changes or the emancipation of a minor child may also qualify you to stop payments. You should call the local office working on your case if you feel that any qualifying situations apply to your case.
Child Support and Taxes
Child support is not reflected in a person's taxes. However, a non-custodial parent can sometimes claim a minor child as a dependent if a custodial parent agrees.
Can child support payments be claimed on taxes in Arkansas?
No, the support payments in Arkansas can't be claimed on taxes.
How does my child support affect my taxes in Arkansas?
The person making the support payments cannot deduct those funds on their taxes. The person receiving the funds should not claim the amount as income.
Can child support be taken pre-tax?
No, it can not.
Can child support Take my federal tax return?
Yes. The IRS works in collaboration with state support agencies to confiscate tax returns if support payments are past due.
Paternity Establishment in Arkansas
Paternity must be established before a support order can be created.
How do you establish paternity in AR?
Establishing paternity can be done on a voluntary basis when a child is born. A paternity case or support case can be decided without you if you decide not to reply to a court summons. Fathers in Arkansas can be assigned paternity even if they do not go to court.
What rights does a father have if not on birth certificate?
A father does not have any parental rights unless his name is on a birth certificate or paternity has been established through the Arkansas court.
Can a mother refuse me paternity test?
A court can instruct a mother to participate in DNA testing. A failure to comply with a court’s request can result in the closure of a support case.
How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?
A family member can usually be used as a substitute.
Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?
Nobody can subject a minor child to medical testing without the consent or knowledge of the primary legal guardian. However, private testing that has been done legally is typically recognized by the court in Arkansas.
How long does a father have to establish paternity in Arkansas?
An acknowledgment or affidavit of paternity (AOP) can be signed at the hospital within 72 hours of the child's birth in AR, or at the local health department. Both the mother and the father must sign the affidavit. Within 60 days of the signing the affidavit, however, anyone who is entitled to file a paternity case can file a case and ask for genetic testing...
Support order establishment
The Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement can assist with all aspects of opening a case and establishing a support order. This can include locating a non-custodial parent, establishing court orders and enforcing payment. Download Forms (scrolls to forms).
State Child Support orders
Support orders in Arkansas will remain the same until a child reaches the legal age when support is no longer mandated or a qualifying life event happens.
Can the support be modified in Arkansas?
Yes, it can. You can modify your child support order every 36 months.
How do I file for a modification?
A review can be requested if there has been a change in the non-custodial parent’s gross income that amounts to 20 percent or that totals $100 per month.
Can a support order appeale?
All custodial parents are given due process to appeal support orders in Arkansas.
Do you need a lawyer to modify the support in AR?
Having legal support when attempting to modify a support amount is recommended.
Arkansas Child support Enforcement
How long does the child support enforcement take?
This will vary by case. Enforcement times can take longer if a parent needs to be located or decides to appeal a case.
What to do when the support is not paid?
Contact a local support office from the support office list below.
What Happens if You Don't pay Child support in Arkansas?
Enforcement representatives will use all available resources to track you down and collect funds on an involuntary basis. You may be charged with contempt of court.
How much back child support is a felony in Arkansas?
The support that is overdue by two years or that exceeds $10,000.
Can the support arrears be forgiven in AR?
Support debt cannot be forgiven in Arkansas.
Support Order Termination
How do I stop a child support order?
This must be done through the court.
When Can I Apply for Child Support Termination?
If a child becomes emancipated or is no longer under the custody of a custodial parent.
Can the custodial parent close a support case?
The custodial parent needs to submit a letter to a local support office requesting that a case be closed. Custodial parents receiving cash assistance or Medicaid may not be permitted to close their cases. In addition, it's important to know that stopping the support services in Arkansas will not impact an existing court order. All court orders must be closed by the court.
At what age does child support stop in Arkansas?
When a child reaches the appropriate legal age or becomes emancipated.
18 years old. An obligation can continue until a child turns 19 if that child is still in high school.
Arkansas hearing rights
A custodial parent has a right to a hearing when establishing an order. In addition, a non-custodial parent may use a hearing to contest an order.
AR Child Support Chart and Guidelines
A parent's support obligation in Arkansas is based on their monthly income. The Arkansas Monthly Family Support Chart is used as a guide for establishing monthly support amounts. However, a court does have the power to deviate from the guidelines if it is proven that a child requires extra support. Download Forms (scrolls to forms).
Arkansas Child Support Coverage
What does child support cover in Arkansas?
Basic life essentials and medical coverage.
Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?
Medical coverage is considered a major component of support in Arkansas.
What if Both Parents are Working, will the Support in Arkansas Cover Child Care Services?
Typically yes, it would cover the child care services.
Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by Child Support?
No, car maintenance costs are not covered under Arkansas Child support laws.
What is Considered Basic Entertainment for Child Support in Arkansas?
Basic entertainment typically covers access to the Internet and television. It can also include the price to visit attractions and attend events.
Are School and College expenses Covered by Child Support in Arkansas?
No, the college expenses are not covered by child support.
Yes, they are. Until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school.
Are Extracurricular Activities covered by Support?
Yes, extracurricular activities are covered by support.
Arkansas Child Support Offices
| Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Support - Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration | 1509 W 7th St, Little Rock, AR | sales.tax@dfa.arkansas.gov | 501-682-1823 | https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/child-support/ |
County Child Support Offices in AR
| County name | Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence County | Independence County, AR Batesville Child Support Office | 1602 Batesville Rd, Batesville, AR 72501 | support.batesville@ocse.arkansas.gov | 1(870) 251-4333 | https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office-locations/details/batesville-child-support-office |
| Cleburne County | Independence County, AR Batesville Child Support Office | 1602 Batesville Rd, Batesville, AR 72501 | support.batesville@ocse.arkansas.gov | 1(870) 251-4333 | https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office-locations/details/batesville-child-support-office |
| Fulton County | Independence County, AR Batesville Child Support Office | 1602 Batesville Rd, Batesville, AR 72501 | support.batesville@ocse.arkansas.gov | 1(870) 251-4333 | https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office-locations/details/batesville-child-support-office |
Download Child support Forms for Arkansas
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| Order to Withhold Income for Child Support | N/A |
| INCOME WITHHOLDING FOR SUPPORT | OMB 0970-0154 |
| AFFIDAVIT OF FINANCIAL MEANS | N/A |