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 New Mexico, income withholding is a common method used to collect child support payments. When a parent is ordered to pay child support, an income withholding order can be issued by a court or administratively by a child support agency, such as the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) under the New Mexico Human Services Department. This order requires the parent's employer to deduct the specified amount of child support from the parent's income and send it directly to the CSED. The CSED then disburses the funds to the custodial parent. Employers are required to comply with the income withholding order and failure to do so can result in legal penalties. This process ensures a more reliable and consistent payment of child support, helping to secure the financial well-being of the children involved.