Helpful Tips To Make Your Next Court Appearance A Success – Department of Child Support Services

The Department of Child Support Services has been hard at work making changes to better serve our customers during this pandemic and beyond. In keeping with that effort, Child Support has put together some helpful suggestions to make court appearances more effective and efficient. Even if hiring an attorney is not an available option, the following tips will help make your next court appearance a success.

KEEP IT SIMPLE AND RELEVANT

The court’s goal is to make the most appropriate decision under the law and circumstances, so giving only relevant and simple answers is the best way to go.

KEEP TO THE ISSUES

Resolving the child support issues is the court’s top priority. The court will only address the issue that was filed in the original papers. For each issue a party wishes to raise, there must be a specific written request made prior to the court hearing.

FILE UPDATED INFORMATION TIMELY

One of the most common reasons for continuing a case is because parties do not have the necessary information, the court cannot make an appropriate decision and must either continue the matter or make a decision based on the available information at the time of the hearing.

BE RESPECTFUL AND COURTEOUS

It’s important to show respect and courtesy during the hearing. Here are some courtroom etiquette rules to follow:

checkedRemember that the court wants to hear both sides so it can make a fair decision. Please allow the other party to be heard. Take notes so you can address the other party’s arguments when it is your turn.
checkedListen to the commissioner’s questions and answer those before adding additional information. The court needs the information it is asking before it can move on to the next topic or consider a new issue. The best chance for having more time to speak is gained by giving information the court needs first.
checkedDo not speak to the other party during the hearing. All communication must be directed toward the commissioner. The hearing is reserved for the presentation of the case to the commissioner only.

Remember that the role of the courts is to make the most appropriate decision under the law and that can only happen when the court is able to focus on the most important and relevant information.

LICENSE TO DRIVE?

We constantly strive to help both parents meet their needs and obligations. Our goals are to help you meet your current support obligations and arrears balance. Our case managers are trained to work with parents and their unique circumstances in creating a plan to get back on track.

Photo of pretty positive lady failing driving exam hold steering wheel shrug shoulder isolated on blue color background.

We know that one of the most important aspects of keeping up with child support is the ability to drive. Below are answers to two of the most frequently asked questions related to license suspension and release.

WHY HAS MY LICENSE BEEN SUBMITTED FOR SUSPENSION?

Due to requirements of the law, the child support system automatically submits a case for a driver’s license suspension when a parent is 30 days delinquent on their current child support and/or arrears. This results in an automatic request being sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles for license suspension.

HOW CAN I HAVE MY LICENSE RELEASED?

Your case manager will be able to assist you with workable options to get your license back as soon as possible. Additionally, your case worker is here to help you navigate your case and help you avoid a suspension of your license in the future. This may require making a payment today to ensure the most direct path to restoring your license. Your case manager will also work with you to see if a change to the order or your arrears payment plan is appropriate. We encourage you to take the first step and contact your case manager so we can help you get back on track and manage your child support case with success.

If you do not have your case worker’s direct contact information, please do not hesitate to call our Call Center at (866)-901-3212 to be directly connected to your case worker.

For more information regarding license releases please watch the video from our Town Hall presentation, License Release Town Hall Workforce Development.