Getting the Illinois DCSS to work for you

 Posted on February 13, 2017 in Child Support

If you have issues related to getting financial support provided by your child's other parent, you will need to acquaint yourself with the services provided by theDivision of Child Support Services, which is part of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

The DCSS exists to serve custodial parents in a number of ways, including:

• Legally establishing parenthood when it has not been established by marriage.
• Helping obtain child support orders.
• Locating a child's noncustodial parent.
• Collecting the payments that are due in accordance with an established child support order.
• Collecting child support payments that are past due.
• Modifying the amount of child support that was established in the support order.

Obviously, these are very important services and DCSS is an indispensable entity, especially when you are having trouble getting your child's other parent to live up to his or her financial obligations.

But there also some vital services that the DCSS cannot provide. For example, the DCAA cannot aid you in any way if you are attempting to get a divorce or need to have your property division issues settled. Nor can the DCSS assist you in getting the child's other parent to pay college expenses.

And perhaps most significantly, the DCSS cannot provide you with legal advice. This means if you are unsure of what measures to take regarding any child support issue, your best form of help would likely be an experienced Illinois family law attorney.

While the DCSS is an invaluable resource, it is also a bureaucracy with many processes and regulations that must be followed in order to serve your needs. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate through the requirements so you can have your child support issues addressed in as timely and efficient manner as possible.