| Top Story |
Maryland Reduces Child Support
Arrears to 0
By Robert Franklin, Esq., Member, Fathers and Families
Board of Directors
In
Maryland, the Child Support Payment Incentive Program is taking small
steps to chip away at the mountain of bad child support debt. The
Office of Child Support Enforcement acknowledges that 63% of fathers in
arrears report earnings of $10,000 or less per year.
The
Maryland program allows noncustodial parents with incomes below 225
percent of the federal poverty level and who have made 24 months of
consecutive child-support payments on their current obligation to have
their arrears reduced to zero. Also, as of October 1, the new
legislation will automatically suspend child-support orders for anyone
sentenced to 18 or more months in jail and lacking the financial means
to pay.
While
other states continue to strip away licenses to drive and professional
and occupational licenses, Maryland is making some small steps to
acknowledge that some dads are just “dead-broke” and the state is better
off helping them reenter the workforce – and the lives of their
children.
The full story appears on Fathers and Families website.
How Do You Vote for Parenting Rights and Responsibilities?
By Rita Fuerst Adams, National Executive Director,
Fathers and Families
Which party
is dedicated to parenting rights and responsibilies? Does either
promote shared parenting? It certainly is not evident in the political
platforms of the Democrats or the Republicans.
Both President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney are considered
good fathers. Both should know and understand their value to their own
children. We would hope this would translate into defending the rights
and responsibilities of all fathers in their children’s lives.
As
you mull over the debates and the campaign advertisements, perhaps it is
also good to see what each party has included in its political
platform. This, supposedly, is what each party is dedicated to
accomplishing in the coming four years.
The Democratic political platform addresses:
“President Obama’s administration has offered men who want to be
good fathers extra support. We have bolstered community faith-based
groups focused on fatherhood, partnered with businesses to offer
opportunities for fathers to spend time with their kids at the bowling
alley or ballpark, and worked to help deployed dads connect with their
children. We all have a stake in forging stronger bonds between fathers
and their children.”
The Republican political platform addresses marriage and traditional values as the solution for our children’s modern issues:
“It has been proven by both experience and endless social science
studies that traditional marriage is best for children. Children raised
in intact married families are more likely to attend college, are
physically and emotionally healthier, are less likely to use drugs or
alcohol, engage in crime, or get pregnant outside of marriage.”
As
you read the platforms please remember that currently the United States
Congress, through the Office of Child Support Enforcement spends $5
billion each year on child support enforcement and $10 million to help
dads enforce their visitation rights.
Vote. Vote your pocketbook. Vote your conscience. Just exercise your right and vote.
Your Securities Secure Your Voice
By Rita Fuerst Adams, National Executive Director,
Fathers and Families
At the
urging of a couple of members, Fathers and Families has opened an
account to receive gifts of securities. Now you may transfer gifts of
stocks and bonds directly to Fathers and Families. This is the most
advantageous way for you to contribute appreciated securities. It
provides you, the contributor, the best option for your charitable
contribution deduction. Please contact me for the account and Pershing
number for easy transfer.
Fathers and Families is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), organization. Fathers
and Families is qualified under section 170 of the Internal Revenue
Service Code to receive gifts, grants, and contributions which are
deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Our federal tax
identification number is 04-3409728.
In
addition, Fathers and Families may receive all other forms of planned
gifts . Contributors may name Fathers and Families as a beneficiary for
retirement plans and IRA’s or life insurance.
Of
course, the most popular form of planned gifts, are still bequests.
Join me, by placing Fathers and Families in your will. I have Fathers
and Families in my will to receive equal shares with the Cleveland
Clinic and Ohio University.
Please email or call me at 617.542.9300 ext. 3, if you have –
- already included Fathers and Families as a beneficiary of your retirement plans or IRA’s,
- made Fathers and Families a beneficiary of your insurance,
- included Fathers and Families in your will, or
- questions or need assistance.
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| In the News |
NYC Human Resources Administration Commissioner Robert Doar
Undocumented Father Gets Visa To Fight for His Children
Federal Court Awards $750,000 in Damages Against Lori Handrahan for Conduct in Custody Case
Texas Fathers and Non-Custodial Parent Rights
Barbara Kay Calls for Gender-Neutral Justice in Child Support
The Guardian: Gender Equality in International Custody Cases Means ‘Mothers Lose Out’
Child Support Enforcement and The Social Security Act
Title IV-D Program
Printer for Sale
A member recently donated a used, excellent condition Kyocera Taskalfa
550c color multifunction system with scanner, fax board, and
saddle-stitch finisher. It prints, scans, copies, and faxes.
Specs:
- Print Speed: 55 pages per minute (black and color)
- Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (copy and print) / 8 Bit Color Depth
- Max Monthly Duty Cycle: 225,000 pages
More information, specs, and photos are available at Kyocera’s website.
Price is negotiable. The money we receive will go towards our work reforming family law. Pickup only from Manchester, NH. Please spread the word to anyone you know who may be interested. Contact Rita Fuerst Adams.
Mission
Fathers and Families improves the lives of children and strengthens
society by protecting the child’s right to the love and care of both
parents after separation or divorce. We seek better lives for children
through family court reform that establishes equal rights and
responsibilities for fathers and mothers.
Fathers and Families
PO Box
270760
Boston,
Massachusetts 02127-0760
(617)
542-9300
www.fathersandfamilies.org
info@fathersandfamilies.org
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