When the relationship between a child's parents ends, it does not end both parents responsibility for their child. Both parents remain financially and legally obligated to their child whether the parents live together, separately, or separately from their child.
The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement establishes paternity (a legal determination of the father of the child) and support and enforces support from a child's parent. The Bureau also enforces court orders for spousal support or alimony.
If a parent cannot pay the full support amount, the parent can apply for a modification of the support amount. The law does not allow a modification unless there has been a substantial change in circumstances (incarceration of a parent is considered to be a substantial change of circumstances). If a parent does not apply for and receive an order modifying the support amount, the current amount that is ordered, is owed in full, with interest that accrues on any unpaid portion.
Resources:
Check Existing/Pending Payments (Click Here for Instructions for the Support Payment Information website)
General Child Support Questions and Answers
How Does the BCSE Process Payments
Modification of Child Support Orders
Non-Custodial Parent Living in Another State
Non-Custodial Parents:
Check to See if a Support Payment Has Been Made (Click Here for Instructions for the Support Payment Information website)
Resources For Parents of Children 3-8 Years Old:
Sesame Street provides Toolkits to help your child when:
Dealing With Incarceration Toolkit - Dealing With Incarceration Video
Other Resources:
Jobs and Hope - WV's response to the substance use disorder crisis. A collaborative effort of various agencies that assist individuals in overcoming barriers. Provides opportunities to obtain career training and ultimately secure meaningful employment.
Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD) - managed by WorkForce WV. PROWD is a reentry program for individuals released from federal incarceration.
