Child Support and Paternity
Legal Information
This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Child Support and Paternity issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Local Support and Domestic Relations Office Procedures
This webpage provides links to information on support collection and Domestic Relations Office procedures in various counties in Pennsylvania.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released this series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
Local Support and Domestic Relations Office Procedures
This webpage provides links to information on support collection and Domestic Relations Office procedures in various counties in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
The Child Support Handbook is an informational resource for both custodial and noncustodial parents regarding Pennsylvania's Child Support Program. [PDF]
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Link to the Pennsylvania Child Support website. The site prvides is an easy way to access child support program information and case details or to seek support services online.
Adams County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Adams County.
Armstrong County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Armstrong County.
Beaver County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Beaver County.
Bedford County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bedford County.
Berks County: Domestic Relations Section of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas
Domestic Relations is a part of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. It helps the Court establish and enforce Court Orders for child support and spousal support.
Blair County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Blair County.
Bradford County Domestic Relations Office
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bradford County.
Bucks County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bucks County.
Butler County Family Court: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Butler County.
Cambria County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Cambria County.
Chester County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Chester County.
Clearfield County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Clearfield County.
Clinton County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Clinton County.
Crawford County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Crawford County.
Cumberland County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Cumberland County.
Dauphin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Dauphin County.
Delaware County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Delaware County.
Fayette County Domestic Relations
Information on support porcedures in Fayette County.
Franklin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Franklin County.
Fulton County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Fulton County.
Greene County Domestic Relations
Information on support/domestic relations procedures in Greene County.
Locate Your Local Domestic Relations Office
This site allows you to locate the local domestic relations office in your county.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County (Support): Support Forms
Forms from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia: Information for PHILADELPHIA PARENTS During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Resources and information for parents living in Philadelphia.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Laurel Legal Services explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings.
Westmoreland County Domestic Relations
Information on the Domestic Relations Office in Westmoreland County
Support Law in Pennsylvania
General information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about support law in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Click the link to view Chapter 8-Child Support of the Family Law Manual published by North Penn Legal Services.
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Child Support Handbook
This Handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get child support. You'll find the steps to follow to establish fatherhood, obtain a support order, and collect the support due, whether you are working with your state, local, or tribal child support program or your own attorney. [PDF]
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
The Child Support Handbook is an informational resource for both custodial and noncustodial parents regarding Pennsylvania's Child Support Program. [PDF]
Establishing Paternity for Your Child is in Your Hands
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on establishing paternity of children from the department's Child Support Handbook. [PDF]
Paternity
Click the link to view Chapter 7-Paternity of the Family Law Manual published by North Penn Legal Services.
Paternity of Children in Philadelphia County When Parents Are Not Married
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association on paternity determinations, as conducted in Philadelphia county. [PDF]
Preparing for Your Support Conference - Pennsylvania (Video)
This video from Philadelphia Legal Assistance explains what happens at a child support conference, describes how child support is calculated, and helps you decide whether to ask for a hearing before a support master if you are unsatisfied with the result of a support conference. The video is part of Philadelphia Legal Assistance's "Make Your Case" video series.
Support Law in Pennsylvania
General information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about support law in Pennsylvania.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
Local Support and Domestic Relations Office Procedures
This webpage provides links to information on support collection and Domestic Relations Office procedures in various counties in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Information from Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc. about child support obligations in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Click the link to view Chapter 8-Child Support of the Family Law Manual published by North Penn Legal Services.
Child Support Law Overview (NW Pennsylvania)
Information on child support for northwestern Pennsylvania residents, how to get or change an order, and how the support is calculated.
Child Support
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project on issues relating to child support. [PDF]
Child Support Estimator
This tool can be used to estimate the amount of your monthly child support amount.
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Child Support Handbook
This Handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get child support. You'll find the steps to follow to establish fatherhood, obtain a support order, and collect the support due, whether you are working with your state, local, or tribal child support program or your own attorney. [PDF]
A Handbook for Military Families - Helping You with Child Support
This handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement provides information a military family might need regarding paternity establishment, child support, access/visitation, and child custody. [PDF]
Child Support Terms
This is a short glossary of child support terms from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for your reference.
Domestic Violence and TANF Support Requirements
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association about the requirement that families who receive cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) apply for child or spousal support unless excused for good cause. [PDF]
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
Link to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
The Child Support Handbook is an informational resource for both custodial and noncustodial parents regarding Pennsylvania's Child Support Program. [PDF]
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Link to the Pennsylvania Child Support website. The site prvides is an easy way to access child support program information and case details or to seek support services online.
Support Withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits
A brochure from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry providing information on support withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits. [PDF] (June 2015)
Pennsylvania EPPICard
Information and resources relating to the EPPICard Program in Pennsylvania. Custodial parents can now access their payments online using a debit MasterCard ®. Your payments are automatically loaded onto the card and you can go to millions of MasterCard ATM and retailer locations in Pennsylvania and around the world to make purchases or receive cash.
Pennsylvania EPPICard e-Disbursement Frequently Asked Questions
The Pennsylvania Child Support Program offers answers to frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania EPPICard program.
Child Support in Philadelphia
Brochure from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association explaining Child Support and the process to get it in Philadelphia.
Medical (Health Care) Support in Support Orders
Information from the Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook on how to obtain health care coverage for children from a non-custodial parent in a support order.
Paying for Child Care
The state and federal governments have made funding available to assist qualifying low income families pay for their child care fees through the subsidized child care program. Find out if you are eligible.
Philadelphia County (Support): Support Forms
Forms from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts.
You Can Claim "GOOD CAUSE" Not to File For Child Support if You Are a Victim of Domestic Violence
If you get welfare benefits, the welfare office will expect you to file for child support. This provides information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on when you have "good cause" not to file for support due to domestic violence.
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Link to the Pennsylvania Child Support website. The site prvides is an easy way to access child support program information and case details or to seek support services online.
Pennsylvania EPPICard
Information and resources relating to the EPPICard Program in Pennsylvania. Custodial parents can now access their payments online using a debit MasterCard ®. Your payments are automatically loaded onto the card and you can go to millions of MasterCard ATM and retailer locations in Pennsylvania and around the world to make purchases or receive cash.
Local Forms and Self-Help Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the title to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION sub-topic. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Laurel Legal Services explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings.
Preparing for Your Support Conference - Pennsylvania (Video)
This video from Philadelphia Legal Assistance explains what happens at a child support conference, describes how child support is calculated, and helps you decide whether to ask for a hearing before a support master if you are unsatisfied with the result of a support conference. The video is part of Philadelphia Legal Assistance's "Make Your Case" video series.
Support Law in Pennsylvania
General information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about support law in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Information from Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc. about child support obligations in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Click the link to view Chapter 8-Child Support of the Family Law Manual published by North Penn Legal Services.
Child Support Law Overview (NW Pennsylvania)
Information on child support for northwestern Pennsylvania residents, how to get or change an order, and how the support is calculated.
Child Support
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project on issues relating to child support. [PDF]
Paternity
Click the link to view Chapter 7-Paternity of the Family Law Manual published by North Penn Legal Services.
Family Law Manual
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. [PDF]
Philadelphia: Information for PHILADELPHIA PARENTS During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Resources and information for parents living in Philadelphia.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Laurel Legal Services explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings.
You Can Claim "GOOD CAUSE" Not to File For Child Support if You Are a Victim of Domestic Violence
If you get welfare benefits, the welfare office will expect you to file for child support. This provides information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on when you have "good cause" not to file for support due to domestic violence.
Domestic Violence and TANF Support Requirements
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association about the requirement that families who receive cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) apply for child or spousal support unless excused for good cause. [PDF]
Child Support in Philadelphia
Brochure from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association explaining Child Support and the process to get it in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County (Support): Support Forms
Forms from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Paternity of Children in Philadelphia County When Parents Are Not Married
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association on paternity determinations, as conducted in Philadelphia county. [PDF]
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released this series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts.
Child Support Estimator
This tool can be used to estimate the amount of your monthly child support amount.
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Child Support Handbook
This Handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get child support. You'll find the steps to follow to establish fatherhood, obtain a support order, and collect the support due, whether you are working with your state, local, or tribal child support program or your own attorney. [PDF]
A Handbook for Military Families - Helping You with Child Support
This handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement provides information a military family might need regarding paternity establishment, child support, access/visitation, and child custody. [PDF]
Child Support Terms
This is a short glossary of child support terms from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for your reference.
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
Link to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
The Child Support Handbook is an informational resource for both custodial and noncustodial parents regarding Pennsylvania's Child Support Program. [PDF]
Support Withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits
A brochure from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry providing information on support withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits. [PDF] (June 2015)
Pennsylvania EPPICard e-Disbursement Frequently Asked Questions
The Pennsylvania Child Support Program offers answers to frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania EPPICard program.
Establishing Paternity for Your Child is in Your Hands
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on establishing paternity of children from the department's Child Support Handbook. [PDF]
Medical (Health Care) Support in Support Orders
Information from the Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook on how to obtain health care coverage for children from a non-custodial parent in a support order.
Paying for Child Care
The state and federal governments have made funding available to assist qualifying low income families pay for their child care fees through the subsidized child care program. Find out if you are eligible.
Child Care Aware - Fee Assistance / Respite
Child Care Aware® of America is proud to partner with the United States Military and Department of Defense to serve and support their families through the Fee Assistance and Respite Child Care Programs.
Local Forms and Self-Help Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the title to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION sub-topic. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
Adams County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Adams County.
Armstrong County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Armstrong County.
Beaver County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Beaver County.
Bedford County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bedford County.
Berks County: Domestic Relations Section of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas
Domestic Relations is a part of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. It helps the Court establish and enforce Court Orders for child support and spousal support.
Blair County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Blair County.
Bradford County Domestic Relations Office
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bradford County.
Bucks County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bucks County.
Butler County Family Court: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Butler County.
Cambria County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Cambria County.
Chester County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Chester County.
Clearfield County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Clearfield County.
Clinton County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Clinton County.
Crawford County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Crawford County.
Cumberland County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Cumberland County.
Dauphin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Dauphin County.
Delaware County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Delaware County.
Fayette County Domestic Relations
Information on support porcedures in Fayette County.
Franklin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Franklin County.
Fulton County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Fulton County.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Laurel Legal Services explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
Greene County Domestic Relations
Information on support/domestic relations procedures in Greene County.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Laurel Legal Services explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
Philadelphia County (Custody): Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in domestic relations proceedings, including Child and Spousal Support, Divorce, Child Custody, and Domestic Violence. taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County (Support): Support Forms
Forms from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia: Information for PHILADELPHIA PARENTS During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Resources and information for parents living in Philadelphia.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Laurel Legal Services explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings.
Westmoreland County Domestic Relations
Information on the Domestic Relations Office in Westmoreland County