Rhode Island Child Support
How to apply for child support in Rhode Island
Any custodial parent or legal guardian of a child in Rhode Island may request child support services from the state. To apply for support, simply file a request for child support services either online, by mail or in person. Anyone can complete an application on the Rhode Island Office of Child Support Services website or call 401-458-4400 to request a copy. Download Forms.
How to Calculate Child Support in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island takes into account the weekly gross incomes of both parents and all mandatory deductions to determine each parent's percentage share of a monthly support order.
How to claim and pay child support?
Support payments in Rhode Island are collected via income withholding, mail or credit card and disbursed via a KIDS Card or direct deposit.
Child Support Performance Stats for Rhode Island
The Office of Child Support Enforcement establishes performance goals and measures successes based on year-to-year performance.
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 (%) | 92.54 | 92.97 | 93.2 | 92.34 | 93.25 |
| Support Order Establishment (%) | 67.08 | 68.65 | 71.31 | 76.41 | 78.84 |
| Cost-Effectiveness ($) | 4.94 | 5.44 | 5.55 | 5.86 | 5.38 |
Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program
Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Distributed Collections ($) | 66.34 | 69.2 | 71.24 | 73.77 | 74.33 |
| Total Distributed to Families ($) | 61.91 | 64.93 | 67.07 | 69.78 | 70.52 |
| Total Administrative Expenditures ($) | 14.34 | 13.55 | 13.65 | 13.37 | 14.66 |
Average Collections per Case with Collections
Can child support be paid off early?
Yes, it is possible to make lump payments.
What Will happen if You fall Behind Child Support Payment?
All attempts will be made to recover the funds that have not been paid.
Can you get alimony and support at the same time?
Yes, it is possible to receive alimony and support payments simultaneously in Rhode Island.
Can you stop the support payments?
No, it is not possible to stop support payments unless the action has been approved by the court.
Child Support and Taxes
Child support will not generally affect the tax situation of any party involved in Rhode Island.
Can child support payments be claimed on taxes in Rhode Island?
No, you cannot claim support payments on taxes in Rhode Island.
How does my child support affect my taxes in Rhode Island?
It is not possible to claim support as income or deduct payments that have been made.
Can child support be taken pre-tax?
No, no program exists that allows for pre-tax support payments.
Can child support Take my federal tax return?
Yes, it is possible that your tax return could be intercepted if you fall behind on payments.
Paternity Establishment
It is essential to establish paternity in Rhode Island before a support case can be opened and enforced.
How do you establish paternity?
A father can legally establish paternity at the hospital, at the Office of Child Support Services or upon being served with a Complaint for Paternity.
What rights does a father have if not on birth certificate?
A father does not have rights until paternity has been established.
Can a mother refuse me paternity test?
A Rhode Island court can order genetic testing if either parent refuses to comply.
How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?
The court will typically allow the use of a family member's DNA.
Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?
All DNA testing that is done must comply with the law.
How long does a father have to establish paternity in Rhode Island?
Paternity in Rhode Island can be established until a child turns 18.
Support order establishment
Rhode Island’s Office of Child Support Services will file to establish a support order after receiving an application by a custodial parent. Once the non-custodial parent is located an officer of the court will serve them with the support order.
State Child Support orders
A support order can be established once a non-custodial parent has been located and paternity has been established.
Can child support be modified?
Yes, either parent can request a modification through the Rhode Island Family Court.
How do I file for a modification of child support?
A parent should contact the Office of Child Support Services and request to file a piece of paperwork called a Motion to Modify.
Can a child support order appealed?
Yes, either party can file a motion for review and adjustment.
Do you need a lawyer to modify the support and when can you do this?
No, but it is highly recommended that you seek legal support.
A review can be requested every three years or when a substantial change in circumstances has occurred.
Child support Enforcement
How long does the child support enforcement take?
Enforcement of past-due payments automatically kicks in when a parent is 30 days late.
What to do when the support is not paid?
Contact the state's support services offices.
What Happens if I’m not paying Child support?
You will face passport denial, liens, a restraining order, license suspensions, confiscation of tax refunds, criminal prosecution and much more.
How much overdue child support payment can be considered a felony?
The support that is overdue by two years or that totals $10,000 or more.
Can the support debt be forgiven?
No, Rhode Island has a zero-tolerance policy for support debt.
Support Order Termination
How do I stop a child support order?
You will need to file a motion to terminate support.
When Can I Apply for Child Support Termination?
Once a child becomes emancipated in some form or custody is reversed.
Can the custodial parent close a child support case?
A custodial parent can file a motion to have an order dismissed.
When Can I Stop Paying the Support?
When a child reaches the legal age of emancipation for the state.
When a child turns 18 or graduates from high school before the age of 19.
Rhode Island Hearing Rights
Both parents have in-person and telephonic hearing rights in Rhode Island.
RI Child Support Guidelines
Rhode Island's Office of Child Support Services uses specific guidelines that are reviewed every four years.
Rhode Island Child Support Coverage
What is the support meant to cover?
Expenses related to food, shelter, education and life experiences are all covered by Rhode Island child support laws.
Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?
The Rhode Island Office of Child Support Services is obligated to secure medical coverage or a cash medical order in every case.
What if Both Parents are working, will the Support Cover child care services?
Yes, a non-custodial parent will need to cover a percentage of childcare costs based on income.
Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by the Support?
Yes, transportation costs can be covered.
What is Considered Basic Entertainment for Support Order?
Internet access, access to movies and television shows, entry fees for events and more can all fall under the category of basic entertainment in Rhode Island.
Are School and College expenses Covered by Child Support?
No, not unless a specific agreement has been reached.
While private school costs are not necessarily covered by child support, all normal school-related costs typically are covered.
Are Extracurricular Activities covered by Support?
Yes, fees for extracurricular activities are typically included in support obligations in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Child Support Offices
| Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Rhode Island Department of Human Services - Office of Child Support Services | 77 Dorrance Street Providence, RI | N/A | (401) 458-4400 | http://www.cse.ri.gov/ |
County Child Support Offices in RI
| County name | Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol County | Providence County, RI Office of Child Support Services | 77 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903 | N/A | 1(401) 458-4400 | http://www.cse.ri.gov/ |
| Kent County | Providence County, RI Office of Child Support Services | 77 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903 | N/A | 1(401) 458-4400 | http://www.cse.ri.gov/ |
| Newport County | Providence County, RI Office of Child Support Services | 77 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903 | N/A | 1(401) 458-4400 | http://www.cse.ri.gov/ |