Obtaining child support involves a wide variety of factors making it difficult to predict how long it will take to secure payments. The time frame varies on a case­by­case basis. For example, one case may require the full range of services ­­ locating the parent, establishing paternity and a support order and enforcing the order. Another case may have a divorce decree with an established order, a social security number and an employer for the non­custodial parent, allowing enforcement of payment through an administrative income withholding order.