Divorce & Annulment Article
How to Make a Spousal Maintenance or Child Support Payment to the Clearinghouse in Arizona
You were just ordered to pay spousal maintenance or child support through the clearinghouse. The order says an “income withholding order will be issued to your employer.” Until then you are to pay the clearinghouse directly.
What does that even mean?
When the judge orders you to pay spousal maintenance or child support it can be confusing. Maybe you aren’t sure where you need to send the check, maybe you don’t’ know what you need to write on the check. When you find yourself in the position where you need to make a payment to being in arrears for late payments or when you could potentially be held in contempt for failing to make a payment you might understandably be worried. Surely you will want to make the payment to the correct institution in a timely manner to avoid the consequences. The judge will generally instruct you to make your payment directly to the Support Payment Clearinghouse. This instruction is lost on most people since they don’t know where to find the Support Payment Clearinghouse. If you make a payment directly to your spouse, this payment might be considered a gift and it might not count as the court ordered payment. This article is designed to help you feel confident that you are making the payment to the correct office so that you can avoid paying arrears or being held in contempt.
Step 1: Determine the Case Number and Amount of the Payment
Find within your court documents the case number and the amount that you will need to pay in spousal maintenance and/or child support, hint this may include an additional arrearage amount.
Step 2: Choose a Payment Method.
Choose a payment method. You can choose to make your payment in whatever way is most convenient for you. You may choose to pay by mail, by Internet, over the phone, or in person.
Mail:
If you choose to make a payment through the mail, you can use either a personal check or a money order to make the payment. Be sure to include your name and the case number to ensure that you get credit for making the payment.
Make the check or money order payable to Support Payment Clearinghouse.
This check or money order needs to be mailed to this address:
Support Payment Clearinghouse, PO Box 52107, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2107.
AGAIN, be sure to include your name and the case number to ensure that you will be credited for making the payment.
Internet:
Child Support payments may be made online. The payment may be made after you register with the State of Arizona Payment Gateway. After creating the account, payments can be made to this website.
Phone:
You may choose to make a payment over the phone. To make a payment over the phone you will need a credit card, along with your case number. You may call one of any of these three numbers to make a payment.
Arizona Payment Gateway: 1-866-562-0140
DCSS Customer Service: 602-252-4045
Toll Free (in Arizona): 1-800-882-4150
In Person:
Child Support can be paid in person at a number of local offices. To find the office nearest you, click on this link to find a list of local child support offices.
What if the judge issued an income withholding order in my case?
If the judge issues an income withholding order then the money will automatically be taken from your income and transferred to the other party. It is possible that the judge may issue a withholding order, but that the withholding order may be delayed. If the withholding order does not begin immediately, then you will be responsible for making payments to the Support Payment Clearinghouse until the withholding order becomes effective.
Contributing Attorney: Billie Tarascio litigates family law and domestic violence cases at Modern Law.
Comments:
QUESTIONS
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If a couple married for 14 years and live in the same house in case of divorce who owns the house if the house was bought before the marriage by one of the spouse?
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Husband wants to buy me of home mortgage which is under my name only. I would love to keep the home but I don't want to start a fight so I am considering moving out with my 2 kids. I want to be the primary household for my kids which is why I want them to live with me most of the time. What should I consider when moving out? Will this affect me negatively in or out of court?
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My husband and I have been seperated for 6 months and I want a divorce. I am looking at moving out of state to be closer to my family. I need help filing for divorce as I have a limited income. He wants joint custody but he is not her biological father. After we got married he signed paper claiming paternity. How do I go about getting the divorce with full custody when I have no money? Thank you
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We live in Mohave County. I want to move back to PA without my husband. Do I file for a legal separation or file for divorce? We own a home in both our names. The car is in my name first but I would not be able to afford it. We both get SS and he has a pension.
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My Name is Rose Smith. I been married almost 7 years. my husband is becoming so aggressive is like he can be super nice next time his mad over nothing is he has custody of his 2 kids i help him raised them 7-9 but his never around. He said he wants me out of the house can he do that? i don't no what to do i don't work i just finish my school he says he work but we are always with no money kids needs blanks stuff or food he don't buy them please help with the money the we are getting from the taxes he says his not giving nothing.please help
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My wife left the state, and we have since filed for divorce. She has made no attempt to ask for the property she left behing. She has retained a lawyer in our state. Can I leave her belongings at the lawyers office?
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I am in the process of a divorce and will be moving back to my home state. As part of the divorce, our house will have to be sold. Do I have to continue living in AZ once the divorce if finalized or can I move back to my home state?
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I have run out of funds trying to Divorce my husband. He has a much higher income than I do. Also he is currently working in China. I have had custody of our 2 kids for 2 years. I filed last year, but he fought it and won. I want something legal to protect me financially .
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I wish to file for a divorce. My wife left the country with my daughter. Do I use the "with children" or "without children " packet since the judge does not have child support jurisdiction here? I do not know the whereabouts of my daughter at this time. Thank you.
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I have been legally separated for 7 years and would like to obtain a divorce, what are the procedures for it?
STORIES
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Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
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ORGANIZATIONS
- Family Lawyer's Assistance Project (FLAP)- Phoenix
View full description - Arizona Secretary of State Tucson Office
View full description - American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona
View full description - Friendly House Immigration Service
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