Each state has laws that govern child support. Each state also has a child support enforcement agency that helps to collect child support, receive child support orders and the like. Child support is mandatory in all states; however, some parents end up not having to pay child support because of their inability to pay the required amount. States do try to help custodial parents in receiving a court order to obtain child support from the other parent. They help to collect child support payments, and they distribute the child support payments. In case of arrears of child support, the state also keeps records to help the custodial parent collect what is rightfully owed. State child support agencies have become a valuable asset to custodial parents everywhere. They provide a free service that lower income families would not be able to afford otherwise. Some families may have not have the money to take the non-custodial parent to court to be able to receive a ruling on child support and now, with the help of the state child support enforcement agencies, those families can now receive what is rightfully theirs with no cost to them.