Parents in Florida who are starting child support cases may find the system to be confusing at first. There are four different categories of child support scenarios that are designated with specific abbreviations. Understanding the different types may help parents to gain a better understanding of the system.
The four child support categories are designated as IV-D, IV-A, IV-E and non-IV-D cases. These designations refer to Title IV of the Social Security Act, which is a law that was passed in 1975 for the provision of grants to the states to provide assistance to needy children and families. Cases designated as IV-D cases are those in which the parent is receiving help from the Office of Child Support Enforcement. The assistance could include locating the other parent, enforcing child support orders and establishing paternity.
IV-A cases involve parents who are receiving state assistance such as TANF benefits. To reduce its costs in providing support to the family, the state will refer the case to the Office of Child Support Enforcement to try to collect child support from the non-custodial parent. In IV-E cases, the child is being cared for by a third party. The state will try to collect child support from the parents to provide care for the child. Finally, non-IV-D cases are those in which child support is paid privately. This is the most common type of case to arise following a divorce.
Family circumstances can change over time, leading to a need for parents to change the types of child support cases that they have. People who need to change their child support cases might want to consult with experienced family law attorneys. Lawyers may help to explain the process and what their clients might expect. Child support can be modified when the circumstances of a parent change.
