FCRPP 9.Child support

Support does not lapse quietly: once set by the court it continues in full force and effect unless modified by the court or ended by operation of law.

Orders go on the prescribed uniform form, and the rule lists what that order must contain — the amount and frequency of payments; how payment is made, which is by wage or income withholding beginning immediately unless the court finds good cause otherwise or the parties have a written alternative arrangement; who is responsible for medical and other ordered expenses of the children; and the parties' and children's social security numbers, notwithstanding the civil rule that would otherwise keep them out. Different withholding notices are used for IV-D and non-IV-D cases, and the rule says which form goes with which.

Motions to establish or modify come with a documentary package on both sides. The movant files a completed guidelines worksheet with their portion done, their last three pay stubs or proof of current income if self-employed, their most recently filed federal and state tax returns, verification of the cost of health insurance for the children only, and a notice of hearing carrying the warning the rule prescribes. The responding party files and serves the same four items — worksheet, pay stubs or income proof, tax returns, and insurance cost verification — at least 24 hours before the hearing. In Title IV-D cases counsel must additionally certify, before the hearing, that reasonable efforts were made to resolve the disputed issues.