Closing Enforcement on Cases

In this Topic

  1. Federal Closure Criteria
  2. Procedure

Federal Closure Criteria

PCSE Units may take action to close a case based on any one of the following federal closure criteria:

  • Minimum arrears: There is no longer a current support order and:
    • arrears are $500.00 or less;
    • no collection has been received within the past 12 months, and court enforcement had been attempted within the past 6 months with notice to the NCP’s last known address;
    • no new locate information was received in the past year, and diligent efforts have been made and documented.
  • Minimum arrears on URESAUniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act/UIFSAUniform Interstate Family Support Act cases: There is no longer a current support order and:
    • arrears are less than $500;
    • no collection has been received within the past 12 months;
    • the support order originated in another state;
    • locate or enforcement attempts by the responding state have been unsuccessful.
  • The CPCustodial parent or party refuses to cooperate.
  • The PCSEProbation Child Support Enforcement Unit is unable to locate the CP.
  • The PCSE Unit is unable to locate the NCPNon-custodial parent.
  • The NCP is institutionalized.
  • The NCP resides in a foreign country.
  • The NCP is deceased.
  • The case has an active income withholding from another state.
  • The child is deceased.
  • The CP is deceased.
  • Another state involved in the case requests closure.

Procedure

Once it has been determined that a case is eligible for closure, a Notice of Intent to Terminate Child Support Services–Probation form may be generated.

Note: All case circumstances and documentation must be reviewed carefully by an immediate supervisor before approval is given to proceed with case closure. The child support case must have all verification documentation attached, including a record of all sources contacted to prove diligent inquiry efforts for location purposes.

Cases are eligible for closure without a court appearance if they meet the following criteria:

  • Both parties (non–domestic violence cases only) request closure.
  • Predetermined specific events have occurred (e.g., an established emancipation date, suspension of parenting time).
  • Arrears are paid in full in an arrears-only case.

 

Institute for Families, School of Social Work  Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey - Child Support Program Manual 2020 Release