How to Pay Child Support Online

Whatever you think of the child support amount that a court ordered you to pay, it’s important to get those payments made on time and to have a record that you did so. That’s one of the benefits of paying child support online, but not the only one. Paying child support online is quicker, easier and more secure than writing a check, and you don’t even have to see your ex if that’s an issue. You can pay online using private child support payment platforms like ExpertPay, or, depending on where you live, you can use your state’s online payment system.

Paying Child Support Online

All parents are required to support their minor children financially, and often, this duty is enforced following a divorce via court-ordered child support payments. Generally, the non-custodial parent is ordered to pay the custodial parent an amount every month to help pay for the children’s expenses. If parents share custody, the court may order the parent who earns a higher wage to pay child support to the parent who earns less to ensure that each parent has the finances to provide for the kids’ needs.

If you are ordered to pay child support, you probably know how important it is to make those payments regularly. It’s important to the children, since they need housing, food, clothes, school supplies and sundries every month. It’s also important for you, however, since failure to pay court-ordered child support can result in fines; civil penalties, such as inability to get a passport; and even jail time.

But getting that check into the mail on time to meet the deadline every month can be a challenge, especially for a parent who travels a lot. Even if you pay on a timely basis, the check can get lost in the mail, misdelivered or stolen. And, if the relationship between your former spouse is unpleasant, you may not relish a visit with your ex to hand over the monthly amount. Paying your obligation online takes care of all of these problems.

Paying Through Your State’s Online Payment System

Not every state offers an online child support payment option, but many do. For example, you can pay online to California’s State Disbursement Unit, New York’s NYS Child Support Processing Center, or Massachusetts’ Child Support Payment website.

If you live in a state different from the other parent and your children, you will have to use the child support payment option in their state, not yours. The child support award must be registered with the agency, so if the custodial parent hasn’t done so, you may have to do it yourself. The noncustodial parent also may need to register by providing identification information, including a Social Security number. But once the agency has the necessary information about your case, paying is a breeze. For, example, in California, you can pay using your Visa card, Mastercard, checking account or savings account.

Paying Through a Private Platform Like ExpertPay

ExpertPay is a private platform that allows you to make child support payments. As a non-custodial parent, you just need to register with your personal information at Expertpay.com. From then on, you can pay online with just a click.

Some states, such as New Jersey, partner with ExpertPay to allow online payments, so you will be directed to the ExpertPay website to pay. However, you can use ExpertPay to make child support payments in any state.

Other private platforms exist, some linked to particular states, others not. For example, Child Support Bill Pay, powered by Value Payment Systems, works with Indiana Child Support Payment Services to provide online payment options.