In the 1980s, Congress responded to growing concerns about the impoverishment of children of divorce and the increasing number of single-parent families on welfare. Congress passed child support enforcement amendments that required all states to develop guidelines by October 1, 1987, or risk losing the federal contribution to their welfare programs. States responded, and today all states have child support guidelines. Even though these guidelines have improved the process for obtaining child support, there are still many people who don't pay their support regularly or on time.
