Support Collectors

Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Resource Center

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Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Resource Center

Even if the non-custodial parent lives outside the state of Pennsylvania, the law requires cooperation between states. The non-custodial parent is legally required to make regular child support payments, regardless of where they live.

Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Measures

If a non-custodial parent does not pay child support, he or she is subject to enforcement measures in accordance with Federal and Pennsylvania child support law to collect regular and past-due payments.

  • Paycheck withholding, worker’s compensation and unemployment benefit withholding.
  • Suspension, non-renewal or denial of a noncustodial parent’s driver’s license, professional license or recreational license
  • The interception of lottery winnings and Federal Tax refunds
  • Passport denial
  • Consumer credit bureau reporting
  • Property liens
  • Jail for up to six months, a fine up to $500, or probation for up to six months

Who Can Enforce Court Ordered Child Support in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Child Support Program is the state-run child support enforcement office for Pennsylvania. The services of the Department of Human Services (DHS) are required by federal law and funded by the federal government and the State of Pennsylvania.

PENNSYLVANIA CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM CASELOAD STATISTICS1
Full Time Equiv. Staff 2,683
Total Caseload 558,944

1 U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement, Boxscores for FY 2005

Support Collectors Collects Past Due Child Support in Pennsylvania

If the Child Support Program hasn’t been able to get the results you want or you don’t think they’ll be able to give you the personal attention you deserve, Support Collectors can help. Support Collectors has developed a proven system that teams attorneys, investigators and enforcement specialists to work your case from every possible angle. We work nationwide and our only business is collecting support. Our success rate is up to three times better than the Pennsylvania CSES and we never charge you a cent unless we put money in your hands.

Interest on Missed Child Support Payments

The State of Pennsylvania does not charge interest on past due payments, retroactive support, or adjudicated arrears.

Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations on Back Child Support Payments (Arrears)

Pennsylvania has no statute of limitations for child support arrears.

Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for Determination of Paternity

According to Pennsylvania law, paternity must be established before the child is 18 years of age.

Age of Emancipation / Age of Majority in Pennsylvania

Age of majority in Pennsylvania is set at 18 or graduation from high school, whichever occurs later (23 PA CS section 4321).

Duty to pay child support is not typically terminated automatically. PA no longer recognizes a statutory cause of action for post secondary educational support. 23 Pa.C.S.A Section 4327(a) was ruled unconstitutional in 1995 by the Supreme Court of PA in the Curtis vs. Kline case. However, contractually based agreements for post secondary educational support contained in marital separation agreements are still enforceable. (Title 23 PA.C.S. 4321 (2))

How Are Child Support Payment Amounts Determined in Pennsylvania?

The amount of child support payments is established in accordance with the Pennsylvania Support Guideline, which is in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 1910.16. The Support Guideline was developed on the premise that the children of separated or divorced parents should receive the same proportion of parental incomes as if the parents were together.

In accordance with ยง 4322(a), the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has established Statewide guidelines, which are specified in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure 1910.16-1 through 1910.16-7.

Custody and Visitation Issues

Child support and visitation rights are separate issues. The court determines both and will usually order the non-custodial parent to pay support and the custodial parent to make the child available for visits.

The custodial parent must obey the court order for visitation, even if the non-custodial parent cannot or will not pay child support. The court can enforce any of its orders against either parent.

You Have Options

Any custodial parent not receiving public assistance may contract with a child support collection agency such as Support Collectors, or hire a private attorney, and at the same time have a case open with the Pennsylvania Child Support Program. We work harder to collect the child support you are owed.

Collecting support is all we do and we give you the personalized, dedicated attention that your case deserves. Call us at (888) 729-6661 or get started online right now! We don’t charge a cent until we put money in your pocket.