As is the case with just about every county around the United States, Lucas County in Ohio suffers from the problem of many fathers not remaining current with their child support obligations.  Collectively, parents owe approximately $350 million in back child support payments, and fathers between the ages of 18 and 24 owe more than $4 million.  Rather than expend funds to enforce these obligations criminally, the county is starting a pilot program that involves different ideas.

Specifically, this program is known as the Young Fathers Early Intervention Program, and it’s designed to help fathers who are between the ages of 18 and 24.  Basically, the county court system is giving fathers who are behind on their child support obligations a choice – either face the potential for jail time or join a program that helps them acquire job skills and employment as well as helping them get back on their feet financially so that they can bring their child support obligations current.

While the program is in its early stages, those who are running it are hoping that it could present a different option for a model of child support enforcement.  In a practical sense, putting a parent who is not paying child support in jail will not generally increase the likelihood that this obligation will ever be brought current or kept current.  While there are strict requirements for getting into and remaining in this program, many hope it simply helps to minimize the problem of unpaid child support.

San Diego Child Support Lawyers

Clearly, there are many parents who are ordered to pay child support and who have every intention of paying it, but because of unforeseen circumstances they are not able to keep up with those payments.  Many parents in this difficult position make the unfortunate decision of simply hoping that the problem will resolve itself.

If you find yourself in this position, you need to deal with it proactively by seeking the help of San Diego child support lawyers who have been helping fathers with these difficulties for many years.  Contact the Men's Legal Center today to schedule an initial consultation.