Many people treat their pets like family members. In fact, the courts have now been asked to consider the best interests of animals, arguing that they are more like dependents than personal property

Many people treat their pets like family members. In fact, the courts have now been asked to consider the best interests of animals, arguing that they are more like dependents than personal property. Because of the special relationship people have with their pets, the courts are having to decide custody, access, and visitation.

Compare and contrast a new law that was passed in California, AB2274, allowing the courts to take into consideration “the care of the pet animal” in cases of marital dissolution or legal separation to child support.

Do you think both are similar in terms of determining amounts needed for support as well as enforcement of support orders?

Do you think there are effective methods and procedures to combat nonpayment of child and/or pet support?

How effective are these methods? Please provide examples to support your position.

What impact does nonpayment of child and/or support have on a family, on both the custodial parent and child(ren)/pets?

Child Support Enforcement

The following articles at the Office of Child Support Enforcement website provide a good overview of the child support enforcement system

Child Support Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/programs/css/child_support_handbook_with_toc.pdf

How to Get Child Support. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/css/resource/how-to-get-child-support.

Child Support Websites and General Contact Information. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/css/resource/state-and-tribal-child-support-agency-contacts

Click on the “clickable image map” and choose your state to see a description of local child support enforcement programs.