Does the Application of Child Support Guidelines at the Time of Court Action Affect Fathers' Subsequent Compliance with Their Child Support Obligations?

Fathers are likely to pay their child support on time when presumptive child support guidelines are used flexibly in response to their specific concerns. Data from 297 court cases assigned to a child support enforcement services agency in New Hampshire were used to determine whether or not the manner in which these guidelines were applied (rigid or flexible) at the time of court action had an effect on fathers' subsequent compliance with their court-ordered child support obligations. An OLS regression found the flexible use of these guidelines to increase compliance. With respect to controls, father only had attorney, father's employment, and income withholding all increased compliance. Implications for family policy advocates are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]