It may come as no surprise that child support payments sometimes don't get paid to those who it is owed. However, many people may not realize that actually less than half of the parents who are owed child support see the full payment. Some people receive a portion, and some receive nothing at all.

According to Forbes, men are the most frequent child support violators. However, options do exist for both parents to try to gain the payments they haven't received. The federal government mandated through the Social Security Act of 1975 that all states have an Office of Child Support Enforcement. Through these departments, parents can request action be taken to recover owed child support. Many times, unpaid child support is viewed as unpaid debt, which must be paid to the parent who it is owed.

Some options that parents have include:

•· Having the child support violator's wages garnished

•· Asking the state to withhold certain funds being paid to the violator

•· Suspending licenses

•· Notifying credit bureaus

•· Placing liens on property

•· Possibly having the violator's property seized and sold to make the payments

Similar options might be available to those who are seeking alimony payments from their former spouse; however more court intervention may be necessary.

Although these are just a few options, which might be available to a person seeking child support payments, there may be more options. It is important to consult with an experienced legal professional on what options you might have for your specific child custody issue.

Source: Forbes, "How Can a Divorcing Woman Get the Child Support, Alimony She is Owed?," Jeff Landers, Dec. 14, 2011