How does child support get to the custodial parent?

When the court makes a child support order, it also orders that the child support payments be made by "income assignment" through the Department of Revenue. This means that the employer of the person paying child support deducts the child support from the paying parent's paycheck and sends it to the DOR. The DOR then sends the child support to the custodial parent or, if the custodial parent receives public assistance, to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (less $50 per month which goes to the custodial parent).

Income Assignments are required by law. An Income Assignment may, however, be suspended by agreement of the parties or order of the court.

The Department of Revenue (DOR) Child Support Enforcement website has a brochure called Information for Parents who Pay Child Support . You can read this leaflet if you have the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.