“I’m asking a question regarding Child Support Enforcement. I know of two men, my relatives, who are obligated to pay child support. I have another relative who claimed to be on welfare to keep the judge from issuing a child support order against her. What shocked me was the judge almost did it, but he researched and realized that she was only getting Medicaid and delivered a child support order. I had to ask because these two men DO receive welfare cash payments. One receives, what’s called, General Assistance, in Pennsylvania. The other one receives TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Both have outstanding child support orders and both have arrearages. The one who’s getting General Assistance has an ongoing case and the one who gets TANF has only an arrearage case. Please tell me if these cases are enforceable in the terms of child support. Also, what is the Statute of Limitations of Child Support Payments? Thank you.”

They both should continue to be enforceable. Child support is due until paid. It is not even dischargeable in Bankruptcy.


Michael Durgavich is an accomplished attorney and mediator. Maintaining a general practice in the San Jose, California area, Mr. Durgavich specializes in family law, bankruptcy, and alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Durgavich can be reached through his website at http://www.MichaelDurgavich.com. Contact This Author

State laws vary, and the above is intended as general advice, and not direct legal advice regarding any one particular situation in any one state. For direct personal legal advice related to your own situation you should consult an attorney familiar with the laws of your state and with your situation.