In many states the attorney general actually enforces child support, almost all child support payments are payed through the court, and if the mother is on public assistance, that is added to the child support. The woman can show up pro se, and the judge will appoint a lawyer to represent the child at county expense.

@glennlab Which states are among the many?

@MsKathleen Texas, Louisiana,I know for sure, it is part of the IRS program, thaqt in order to garnish the refund checks for child support, the states must enact legislation from the model program.

@glennlab BUT, women have to get a judgement for that to happen. My friend here just FINALLY got a court ruling. Her kids were six and four when she got divorced. Her oldest just finished his first year of college. It ISN’T easy.

@MsKathleen In spite of Texas being backward in many aspects, their child support rules are fairly enlightened. I know it is tougher in some states, but child support should be ordered at the time of the divorce or as soon as the father is identified.

@glennlab It usually is. Many men just do not pay.