The first time Endel Williams went to prison, at age 19, his daughter was 3 months old. One month later, his second daughter was born.
Even though he was incarcerated on drug-related charges, he was still responsible for child support. It kept adding up.
“The max for me was about $50,000,” said Endel, now 38 and a City of Racine worker. “It’s overwhelming.”
In Racine County, as of Feb. 28, there were 14,552 cases where parents owed payments for overdue child support, called arrears, according to the state Department of Children and Families. The average amount owed is $13,512.50, and accrues 12 percent interest each year it goes unpaid. That amount is in addition to any current support orders a parent may have.
The governor’s proposed budget cuts that interest rate, which could
help make paying child support less overwhelming and increase the likelihood people will pay, but some say the system is crying out for more change. When noncustodial parents carry heavy arrears, the debt can be an overwhelming obligation that leads them to give up, leaving the child and custodial parent with little to nothing.
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