Support Collectors

Kansas Child Support Enforcement Resource Center

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Kansas Child Support Enforcement Resource Center

Even if the non-custodial parent lives outside the state of Kansas, the law requires cooperation between states. The non-custodial parent is legally required to make regular child support payments, regardless of where they live.

Kansas Support Enforcement Measures

If a non-custodial parent does not pay child support, he or she is subject to enforcement measures in accordance with Federal and Kansas child support law to collect regular and past-due payments.

  • An income withholding order (IWO) to enable automatic payroll deduction for support
  • Consumer credit bureau reporting
  • State and federal tax refund intercepts
  • Contempt of court actions
  • Suspension of hunting and fishing licenses
  • Liens may apply to real estate or to certain kinds of personal property

Who Can Enforce Court Ordered Child Support in Kansas?

The Kansas Child Support Enforcement Program is the state-run child support enforcement office for Kansas. The Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services is required by federal law to provide services through Child Support Enforcement Program (CSEP) and is funded by the federal government and the State of Kansas.

KANSAS CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM CASELOAD STATISTICS1
Full Time Equiv. Staff 604
Total Caseload 131,658

1 U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement, Boxscores for FY 2005

Interest on Missed Child Support Payments

Kansas does not charge interest on missed payments but Kansas law provides for the assessment and collection of judgment interest. This rate is determined by Kansas Legislature and changes yearly.

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Back Child Support Payments (Arrears)

In Kansas, support installments due after 7/1/1981 are enforceable until 2 years after child is emancipated. With appropriate action, enforcement may be extended indefinitely. Installments due before 7/1/1981 may be enforceable, but require case by case determination. In a proceeding for arrearages, the statute of limitation under the laws of Kansas or of the state issuing the order, whichever is longer, applies.

Kansas Statute of Limitations for Determination of Paternity

Kansas requires that paternity be established by the time the child turns 18.

Age of Emancipation / Age of Majority in Kansas

The age of majority in Kansas is 18. (K.S.A. 60-1610(a))

Support is automatically extended through June 30 of the school year (July 1 – June 30) during which child turns 18, unless court specifically orders otherwise. On motion, the court has discretion to extend support through the school year in which the child turns 19, but only if both parents participate or acquiesce in the decision that delayed completion of high school.

How Are Child Support Payment Amounts Determined in Kansas?

The Kansas Child Support Schedules take into account that income deductions for social security, federal retirement, and federal and state income taxes, as well as property taxes on owner-occupied housing, are not available to the family for spending. The schedules are based on national data regarding average family expenditures for children, which vary depending upon three major factors; the parents’ combined income, the number of children in the family, and the ages of the children.

Custody and Visitation Issues

Child support and visitation rights are separate issues. The court determines both and will usually order the non-custodial parent to pay support and the custodial parent to make the child available for visits.

The custodial parent must obey the court order for visitation, even if the non-custodial parent cannot or will not pay child support. The court can enforce any of its orders against either parent.