The Law And Economics Of Child Support Payments

The delinquent payment of child support by non-custodial to custodial parents is a major problem throughout the United States. To many observers, the problem is one of'deadbeat dads'- men who simply will not make the required payments. The solution has been to enforce payment by the imposition of increasingly stringent civil and criminal penalties. Despite these efforts, the percentage of single mothers receiving child support has changed very little over the past twenty-five years. The Law and Economics of Child Support Payments investigates why this is, and approaches the payment of child support as an economic problem.To understand the issues involved, leading lawyers and economists examine various facets of the child support system from a law and economics perspective. They consider the incentives faced by both custodial and non-custodial parents, and search for policy actions that are more incentive-compatible for all participants. The assumptions underlying current child support guidelines are discussed, as are the ways in which child support payments affect family structure, teenage delinquency and income disparities between parents.This comprehensive, provocative volume will be of considerable interest to policymakers, lawyers and parent advocacy groups, as well as to students of this timely issue. The Delinquent Payment Of Child Support By Non-custodial To Custodial Parents Is A Major Problem Throughout The United States. To Many Observers, The Problem Is One Of 'deadbeat Dads' - Men Who Simply Will Not Make The Required Payments. The Solution Has Been To Enforce Payment By The Imposition Of Increasingly Stringent Civil And Criminal Penalties. Despite These Efforts, The Percentage Of Single Mothers Receiving Child Support Has Changed Very Little Over The Past Twenty-five Years. The Law And Economics Of Child Support Payments Investigates Why This Is, And Approaches The Payment Of Child Support As An Economic Problem. To Understand The Issues Involved, Leading Lawyers And Economists Examine Various Facets Of The Child Support System From A Law And Economics Perspective. They Consider The Incentives Faced By Both Custodial And Non-custodial Parents, And Search For Policy Actions That Are More Incentive-compatible For All Participants. The Assumptions Underlying Current Child Support Guidelines Are Discussed, As Are The Ways In Which Child Support Payments Affect Family Structure, Teenage Delinquency And Income Disparities Between Parents. This Volume Will Be Of Considerable Interest To Policymakers, Lawyers And Parent Advocacy Groups, As Well As To Students Of This Timely Issue.--book Jacket. Child Support Payments : A Review Of Current Policies / William S. Comanor -- Child Support And The Problem Of Economic Incentives / Robert J. Willis -- Child Support Guidelines : Underlying Methodologies, Assumptions, And The Impact On Standards Of Living / R. Mark Rogers And Donald J. Bieniewicz -- Child Support Guidelines And Equal Living Standards / Sanford L. Braver And David Stockburger -- Child Support Policy And The Unintended Consequences Of Good Intentions / Ronald K. Henry -- Hopelessly Defective : An Examination Of The Assumptions Underlying Current Child Support Guidelines / Robert A. Mcneely And Cynthia A. Mcneely -- Should Visitation Denial Affect The Obligation To Pay Support? / Ira Mark Ellman -- Parental Bonding And The Design Of Child Support Obligations / Geoffrey P. Miller -- Teenage Delinquency : The Role Of Child Support Payments And Father's Visitation / Heather Antecol And Kelly Bedard -- Family Structure And Child Support : What Matters For Youth Delinquency Rates? / William S. Comanor And Llad Phillips. Edited By William S. Comanor. Papers Presented At A Conference Held At The University Of California, Santa Barbara, 20 September 2002. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Figures......Page 7 Tables......Page 9 Boxes......Page 11 Contributors......Page 13 Preface......Page 15 1. Child support payments: a review of current policies......Page 19 2. Child support and the problem of economic incentives......Page 49 3. Child support guidelines: underlying methodologies, assumptions, and the impact on standards of living......Page 78 4. Child support guidelines and equal living standards......Page 109 5. Child support policy and the unintended consequences of good intentions......Page 146 6. Hopelessly defective: an examination of the assumptions underlying current child support guidelines......Page 178 7. Should visitation denial a•ect the obligation to pay support?......Page 196 8. Parental bonding and the design of child support obligations......Page 228 9. Teenage delinquency: the role of child support payments and father’s visitation......Page 259 10. Family structure and child support: what matters for youth delinquency rates?......Page 287 Index......Page 307