The non-custodial parent can be ordered to pay child support by the court system; however, that does not mean that they will make their payments. Child support payments are usually calculated by gross income minus allowable deductions of the non-custodial parent. Each state has a child support enforcement agency that offers their services free of charge to the public. The agencies help to establish support orders, as well as collect and distribute support payments. They can even help with the collection of medical support. The state agencies can help you to collect past due child support that was not paid by the non-custodial parent. The agency can garnish the wages of non-custodial parents, have their driver's licenses suspended or revoked, and withhold and collect the tax returns of the non-custodial parent. Child support payments are intended to provide for the child and not to be used as spending money for the child. This means that the custodial parent can use the money to pay rent, utilities, vehicle payments and similar expenses, no matter who the support indirectly benefits because it is providing for a house, utilities and transportation for the child and/or children.