State ranks first in increased child support collection

Ginnie Graham

Nov. 4, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- When the back child support owed to her reached about $17,000, Julie Koble wanted something done.

She has a nice job and was able to handle the basic needs of her two sons from her first marriage. But her academically and musically talented teenage sons participate in activities that started costing bigger bucks.

Both are in the Broken Arrow marching and concert bands, which costs about $1,400 each for accessories and equipment, plus music lessons at about $60 a month each and instruments.

"We just spent $3,500 in trombones last year, and have yet to buy a French horn," Koble said. "This is their life. This is where their friends are, where their social life is and what they enjoy. It's expensive, but well worth it."

When she and her husband divorced, her sons were 2 and 4 and the court ordered him to pay $198 a month.

"He never kept up with it and ended up with $17,000 that he owed," she said. "I went to court to see what we can do. I wanted him to be involved and support them or just go away. It took two years and $4,000. I ended up getting something, but no way to really collect anything."

A mediator upped the support to $350 a week

plus the amount owed. He paid for a few months then stopped.

"Having a court order doesn't mean the kids will ever see the money if you have no way to get it," Koble said. "I gave up. Then, it just started bothering me. This is for them. Everything he had ever paid went to their college funds or directly to things they need. I didn't feel good about letting it go."

After filling out a form found on the Web site of the state Department of Human Services, she was contacted a few days later by the child support division. They reviewed the court orders and payments received.

At that point, he owed $45,000.

DHS started making collections through payroll withholdings in mid-2008. The agency also intercepted his last year's tax return to deposit about $2,900 into his sons' account, which works similar to a debit card.

Koble uses the account for their musical needs, school fees, clothes or other bills directly for them.

"This is their money," she said. "And when we get the big bills, like the trombone or uniforms, it is so much easier. It's nice because everything can be tracked. You can see where the money has been spent."

No more bad guy

In the past decade, the DHS child support division has nearly tripled its collections.

In 1998, DHS collected about $96 million in child support. Last year, it reached a record $299 million.

Since last year, the division increased collections by 17 percent, which is the highest rate of increase among the 50 states, and 2 1/2 times the national average.

Welfare reform in the late 1990s encouraged increased child support collections to cut down the need for other social supports.

Federal rules changed to allow child support enforcement agencies to intercept funds from federal sources such as income taxes, Social Security and unemployment. State licenses can be revoked or denied if child support is owed.

DHS can also get benefits from the federal stimulus programs or lottery winnings.

The agency cannot collect money without a court order.

When DHS first contacted Koble's ex-husband, who now lives in Texas and is re-married, he was angry.

"He called and asked why I was doing this," Koble said. "How do you answer that? He didn't argue that he owed the money or that he needed to support his sons."

Eventually, the anger subsided. She said he sees his sons about twice a year and is working to establish a relationship with them.

"What's been huge for me is that I no longer have to be the bad guy," Koble said. "Even with the court order, I didn't think I should have to be in the position of nagging him for the money. We can now talk about our plans with the boys."

Even as Oklahoma has increased support collections, about $1.7 billion remains uncollected in Oklahoma child support. At least 55 percent of that amount is from underpayment of support, officials say.

"It was easy for me, and the DHS workers have been nice and professional," Koble said. "I think it makes my ex feel better about finally being able to do something about it and support his sons."

By the numbers: DHS child support collections

Amount in child support collected by Oklahoma's DHS in 1998

$299 million: Amount in child support collected by DHS last year.

17 percent: Amount that DHS' child support enforcement division has increased collections since last year, the highest rate of increase among the 50 states, and 2 1/2 times the national average

Source: DHS

Ginnie Graham 581-8376 ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0205-39429789