Child Support Enforcement

The single most important responsibility in any adult's life is that of being a parent. Sadly, some parents forsake their responsibilities to their children, and in doing so rob them of the joys of childhood. Governor Pataki has made child support enforcement one of his greatest priorities. Since 1995, child support collections have markedly and steadily increased to more than $1 billion per year.

The primary agents for collecting child support payments are the various counties and the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). The Department of Taxation and Finance joins this effort by taking on the most difficult collections cases on referral from OTDA.

In calendar year 2001 the Department's child support enforcement team issued 49,496 warrants for delinquent child support, brought 18,787 delinquent cases to current status through full payment and collected a total of $48,094,318 that would have otherwise been uncollectible. These numbers increased in calendar year 2002 to 78,529 warrants, 18,803 cases closed due to full payment and $49,476,600 in total collections.

Notable seizures for calendar years 2001 and 2002 include:

A New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission Taxi Medallion valued at $250,000. After the medallion was seized, the delinquent parent quickly produced the $7,000 in back child support and brought his obligations current.
A deadbeat dad from Long Island with a penchant for high-priced European sports cars and racing boats couldn't see his way clear to pay the nearly $21,000 in delinquent child support he owed. As a result his 24 foot Douglas Skater racing boat and Porsche 911 Carrera were seized by Department agents.

Often a seizure results in collections that far exceed the value of the asset seized. One deadbeat parent who owed more than $25,000 in back child support paid his obligation fully when his prized vintage Porsche valued at $13,370 was seized. Another deadbeat parent produced nearly $8,500 in overdue support when their $1,400 Honda CRX was seized.

Bringing the vast powers of the Department of Taxation and Finance to bear on the issue of child support enforcement underscores Governor Pataki's commitment to seeing that no child is forgotten and left wanting while their parents run from their responsibilities.

Last Modified: November 14, 2003