Columbus, OH - The director of the Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) announced last week that the agency has collected its first set of funds through its Administrative Child Support Lien Program.

In this case, the collection amount was $25,886 and came from a real estate foreclosure on the property of a non-custodial parent who was in arrears on two separate child support cases. Two children, ages seven and 12, were involved. This collection was split and forwarded last week to the custodial parents. Once the payments were applied, the arrearages on both cases were reduced to "zero."

Commenting on this latest CSEA initiative, Board of Commissioners' President Dewey Stokes said, "Deadbeat parents need to know, refusing to pay your child support is not an option here in Franklin County. Now we have another enforcement tool in our toolbox. Child support offenders in Franklin County need to be aware that we're intent on tracking them down and making them pay their child support obligations."

Commissioner Shoemaker pointed out the following: "If you're shirking the responsibility of supporting your children, we're prepared to grab your property, garnish your tax returns, and take all legal measures necessary to bring you into compliance."

Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy stated, "I just want to express how much the Board of Commissioners appreciates the hard work that our CSEA staff is doing on behalf of the parents and children in Franklin County. Their perseverance and creativity truly is making a difference in the lives of so many children."

Under Ohio Revised Code, administrative child support liens are enforceable on those who own property in Ohio and who are in default on their child support obligations. They can even be applied to individuals who don't yet own property, forcing deadbeat parents to bring their arrearages to a zero balance before they can purchase a home.

"This was the first child support collection we have received following implementation of our administrative lien program in January," said CSEA Director Anthony Bond. "We're continuing to review our default lists for other individuals who own property in Franklin County and are in default on their child support obligations. These liens are filed with the Office of the Franklin County Recorder."

An agency study done last year indicated that about four percent of the agency's obligors who had fallen into default own real estate in Franklin County.