Realistic Child Support Orders for Incarcerated Parents

For child support to be a reliable source of income for children, parents who are incarcerated need child support orders that reflect actual income. This PAID fact sheet highlights opportunities to encourage incarcerated parents to engage with the child support system, to reduce or suspend orders during incarceration to avoid arrears, and to offer post-incarceration child support services. As a companion to this PAID fact sheet, the incarcerated noncustodial parent policy chart reviews state modification practices, laws, and policies for incarcerated noncustodial parents.

Note: The information contained in the attachment may no longer reflect the most current state program guidelines, policies, or procedures. For the most current practices, please contact your local child support office.