Q: Do child support payments have to go through the courts or can be paid directly to custodial parent?
We are going through a divorce and he had signed the settlement agreement however when the judge sent it back adding verbiage that the support be paid through the courts. I need to find out if this is a law or preference please. Thank you.
A:
Hello. It is statutory law that child support payments be made through an Income Withholding Order (i.e. through the state child support payment system). The court does not handle any payments related to domestic matters.
However, the parties can agree on the order not being issued IF they (the parties) have agreed to some other form of payment arrangement. My two cents is that it is better to be paid through the state because they maintain records of payments. If he is paying by check, MO, or EFT, you will be responsible for maintaining the records in the event an issue arises. Hope that helps. Best of luck!
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