Being a single parent can be difficult, especially if you are not receiving the necessary child support payments. One Minnesota mother was owed close to $40,000 when Hennepin County closed her child support case, and she is not alone. In Hennepin County, hundreds of cases have been closed prematurely with close to $6 million of child support still owed.

Previously in Hennepin County, a case would be closed after five years of missed child support payments. The recent downward turn in the economy bears witness to a huge influx of people ceasing to pay child support rather than modifying the child support order. Where there once was a steady income, empty pockets and ever-growing bills now preside. But after officials discovered hundreds of cases that were closed inappropriately, the state of Minnesota has ruled to reopen many of those child support cases.

However, officials in Hennepin County are skeptical if any additional payments will be made because, in many cases, there is not any source of taxable income present. In fact, many parents that have stopped paying child support are on welfare and do not have a chance at reconciling missed payments. While some previously closed cases are being reopened, it may not necessarily mean there is hope for receiving missed payments.

Although officials in Hennepin County are not optimistic, this is not a call to give up. Minnesota residents dealing with child support issues would do well to seek legal advice in order to recoup past due child support payments. Conversely, parents who are unable to make their child support payments may wish to seek a modification.

Source: Star Tribune, "Hennepin County's closed cases on child support to be re-examined," Jeremy Olson, Feb. 13, 2012