Income withholding is a deduction of a payment for child support from a parent’s income. An order for income withholding can be from a court or administratively ordered by a child support agency—such as the child support division of the state’s Attorney General’s office.
The parent's employer often transmits the money directly to the child support agency.
In Maine, income withholding for child support is a legal mechanism by which payments for child support are deducted directly from a parent's income. This can be initiated through a court order or administratively by a child support agency, such as the Division of Support Enforcement & Recovery (DSER) under the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Once an order for income withholding is in place, the parent's employer is responsible for deducting the specified amount from the parent's paycheck and sending it directly to the child support agency. The agency then disburses the funds to the custodial parent. Employers are required to comply with the withholding order and may face penalties for failure to do so. This process ensures a more reliable and consistent payment of child support, helping to secure the financial support necessary for the well-being of the child.