Antigua and Barbuda Considers Public Register for Parents Who Ignore Child Support Orders

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has endorsed a new digital platform aimed at modernizing the collection and distribution of child maintenance payments, as authorities seek to address growing concerns over delinquent payments affecting thousands of children and families.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced the decision during Friday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, outlining plans for the introduction of the Main Collect application, a digital system designed to facilitate electronic child maintenance payments and improve oversight of court-ordered support obligations.

Merchant said Cabinet received a presentation from Family Court officials, including Registrar Francis Crown and Crown Counsel Alicia Asker, along with a local software developer involved in the project. The presentation highlighted longstanding challenges faced by the Family Court in collecting and distributing child maintenance payments.

According to information presented to Cabinet, between 1,500 and 2,500 fathers in Antigua and Barbuda are listed in court records as having child maintenance obligations, with delinquent payments creating financial difficulties for mothers, guardians and children who depend on the support.

The Main Collect application is expected to become fully operational within six months. The platform, which has already received approval from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, is intended to be rolled out across member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The system will allow maintenance payments to be made electronically through mobile devices and computers while enabling recipients to securely track payments. Court officials will also have access to real-time information on payments, outstanding balances and compliance rates.

Merchant said Cabinet recognized that technology alone would not resolve chronic non-compliance and discussed additional enforcement measures.

Options considered included legislative amendments to strengthen penalties for persistent defaulters, the creation of a register of delinquent fathers, and increased collaboration with employers to facilitate salary deductions from individuals who repeatedly fail to meet their maintenance obligations.

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