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Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Ind. Courts - Grant County's special Title IV-D Court

From the Marion Chronicle-Tribune, a guest column by Marion attorney John Milford, the domestic relations commissioner for Grant Circuit Court, that begins:

Few parents take pride that they have no real choice but to ask taxpayers for financial assistance. Recognizing that most of these requests result from the failure of the other parent to fulfill their financial duty, last year Grant County government quietly took action designed to relieve the financial burden on taxpayers for the distribution of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps and free lunches.

Endorsed by all Grant County judges and Grant County Prosecutor James Luttrull Jr. and initiated and implemented through Grant Circuit Court, last year the Grant County Council approved a plan funded by Federal Title IV-D and state regulations.

This program created a special Title IV-D Court to promote and encourage the establishment of paternity, and creating, modifying and enforcing child support orders.

The commissioner of this court administers, hears cases and makes recommendations which become orders after approval by a judge. Less taxpayer-funded assistance is needed when non-custodial parents fulfill their financial obligation. It makes sense: Taxpayers save $5,200 per year when a $100-per-week TANF check is replaced by a $100 child support payment.

However, the services of this court are not restricted to those receiving TANF or other benefits. Any parent may ask for assistance from the Title IV-D office, located on the ground floor of the Courthouse.

For a mere $25 fee, Title IV-D will establish, modify and enforce all child support cases.

These services include filing income-withholding orders, obtaining and confirming non-custodial employment, asset locating, placing and enforcing liens and seizing of bank accounts and free attorneys for any needed court appearances.

In addition, all child support cases handled by the IV-D office and court result in Grant County receiving increased "incentive payments", an award to Grant County for its collection efforts.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on December 27, 2006 08:49 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts