One of the primary means of enforcement available to county child support agencies for collection of child support is suspending an obligor’s driver’s license when they are in default. County agencies appear to be pursuing this remedy more than ever with the number of parents under license suspension at an all-time high.
As of August 4, 2014, Franklin County has the most suspensions in place with 26,241. Hamilton County is not far behind with 23,541 suspensions. Hamilton County has seen suspensions increase almost 50% over the past five years and its current suspension level represents over 25% of parents ordered to pay support in that county.
While suspension rates are increasing because of lower thresholds for implementing the penalty, it is acknowledged as a “last resort” by the Department of Jobs and Family Services. Avoiding notices and correspondence from the CSEA is not ideal and initiating contact can be productive.
Although CSEA proceedings are administrative in nature and are not technically a ‘legal’ proceeding, the assistance of experienced counsel can often help avoid the suspension of a license or assist with the reversal of action already taken by the CSEA. The attorneys at Gary J. Gottfried Co., L.P.A. assist clients in Franklin County CSEA proceedings, as well as all other Central Ohio counties.
