by Lisa Cara

Created on: May 11, 2009   Last Updated: May 13, 2009

Wait a Minute, Who are You Calling a "Deadbeat", and What do you Want to do to Them?!

The word "Deadbeat" describes an otherwise capable being that refuses to be responsible giving no apparent reason. Given that, a "Deadbeat Parent" should describe an otherwise capable parent who refuses to meet an order of child support. From the 1970's through the 1990's the term came to be associated with fathers who abandoned, physically and financially, the women they impregnated, thereby causing an ever growing number of State supported single parent families. Outcry against welfare in general coupled with the "Deadbeat Dad" problem brought about reform. From these new laws arose a complicated formula, in an attempt to establish "fair" support award amount, and another to calculate incentives designed to encourage collection of delinquent support accounts. Today, however, the revised child support laws have allowed individual States to expand the term, "Deadbeat Parents" (most states recognize the growing numbers of non-custodial mothers), to include parents who are incapable of meeting the obligation, and parents who have never been irresponsible. .

Generally, as there is some variation from state to state, the calculations are based on the sum of both parents income. A percentage of the aggregate is assigned as the child's portion. Each parents contribution to the support amount is figured at the same percentage as their contribution to both incomes combined. . Applying those percentages to the amount considered the child's portion yields the amount the custodial parent should contribute, and the remainder is issued as the support award amount. The problem with this system is, even though it brought standardization of award calculations, it fails to consider the challenges it presents to lower incomes, and makes no allowances for mitigating factors. For instance, any other support awards already assessed against the non-custodial parent, or the income necessary to support their current family. Nor is their any adjustment if the custodial parent has re-married, which seems to be fair in the sense that the new spouse has no obligation to a stepchild. However in application, the effect has been to impoverish many non-custodial parents as the award is not based on amounts necessary to raise a child, rather the sum of both parents income when the award was made, or as of the awards last review. Reviews are made every three years, or at the request of either parent

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