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My daughter looked into the collection system used in our state- she said it was a scam- “if” they collect they take a percentage- that part is fair- but they keep taking the percentage forever, reducing the amount the mother gets. I can see that something is better than nothing- but it still doesn’t seem reasonable for the collection to keep getting money from future payments.

My daughter looked into the collection system used in our state- she said it was a scam- “if” they collect they take a percentage- that part is fair- but they keep taking the percentage forever, reducing the amount the mother gets.

I'm guessing you mean the private system. Some states allow voluntary sign-up in that system, and others - some who've been hammered for it - have actually forced everyone to go there.

Your daughter is one of the wise ones - many leap in without looking. I understand her conclusions. They don't do anything to collect except send out some letters, etc. The fact is - most people who get behind can't pay - and that's when mom runs to them imagining they can do something about it - assume he's lying about his situation, etc. Collection agencies - knowing it wouldn't be profitable to actually try to collect - sign them up and wait for better times. All the recipient gets out of it is less than she would have if she hadn't signed up.

Another thing about the collection agency is that it then becomes a debt for the person who is supposed to be paying and can then be charged off in a bankruptcy where child support can’t.

My DIL’s mother is collecting child support now and my DIL is 35 and the baby of the family. The ex is going to be paying until he dies or go to jail. He wouldn’t pay when the kids were little and when the kids were grown and Mom could afford a lawyer, she went after him and she won.