Family Forum / Parenting / Parenting / June 2007

I would be remiss if I did not serve warning to others unfortunate
enough to find themselves in similar situations.

It is necessary for Child Support and related enforcement to be unfair
because the intended result is to create criminals. One needs only to
look at the enforcement measures if they have any doubt.

If an honest payer falls behind the first enforcement takes is that of
a Voluntary Arrears Payment Schedule. It's the only other option
offered, besides full repayment, when payments are so far behind (5
months is about the limit). Despite the absence of any immediate
prospects for income the payer enters into the repayment schedule.

If a third VAP needs to be issued, and it will if the payer's
situation doesn't change, it comes with a first notice of license
suspension. If you still have any doubt that enforcement seeks to
create criminals, the coup de gras is the final series of enforcement
measures which take the form of jail terms.

All three steps are examples of commendable works of legislation and I
for one am not against child support as a concept but it is obvious
that the measures of enforcement taken against someone who already
can't pay will increase the likelihood arrears will increase and the
payer is eventually streamed into prison with the other criminals...
where they belong?.

"We are taking every step possible to help families and children get
the
support they are owed," - Ministry of Community and Social Services

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2007/01/26/c9573.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html