For custodial parents who need to obtain child support from the non-custodial parents of their children, there is a child support application. This is basically a request, asking the judge to order the non-custodial parent to pay child support. The custodial parent's attorney can file this paper with the court and receive a court date for when the matter will be seen to. The judge will look at the current financial situation of the non-custodial parent, how many children are involved and many other factors before deciding whether or not to order a non-custodial parent to pay support, and how much he or she will require the non-custodial parent to pay. If the non-custodial parent is required to pay but doesn't, there are avenues the custodial parent can take to collect that child support. They should start with the Child Support Enforcemetn Agency, which can help them collect the child support, locate the non-custodial parent and even establish paternity in cases where it is unknown.