PALawHelp.org

Child and Spousal Support

Legal Information

• Child Support in Pennsylvania

  This classroom provides information on Child Support law in Pennsylvania and provides information on how to file a complaint for child support, a petition for modification of child support and a petition for contempt of child support. A video explaining what to expect at your child support conference is also provided. Read More

• Domestic Violence and Welfare Support Requirements

  Information from the Women's Law Project and Philadelphia Bar Association, hosted by the Philadelphia Courts website, about the requirement that families who receive cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or General Assistance (GA) programs apply for child or spousal support unless excused for good cause. [PDF] Content Detail

  By:

  Women's Law Project and Philadelphia Bar Association

• 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. Content Detail

  By:

  Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

• Child Support

  Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. on child support law. Read More

  By:

  Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

  Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt

• Child Support Estimator

  This tool can be used to estimate the amount of your monthly child support amount. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Child Support Program

• Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions

  Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Child Support Program

• 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] Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Support Law in Pennsylvania

  General information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about support law in Pennsylvania. Content Detail

  By:

  Neighborhood Legal Services Association

• 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. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

• 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. Read More

  By:

  Philadelphia Legal Assistance

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  French / Français

  Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt

• 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. Read More

  By:

  PALawHELP.org

• Pennsylvania: Complaint for Support

  This will link you to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a "Complaint for Support," which you can use if you want support for your children (child support) and/or support for yourself (spousal support). You must file separate complaints against each father. The site will ask you a series of questions about your situation and then create a complaint for YOU based on YOUR ANSWERS. The complaint can then be printed and filed in your local court. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. Read More

  By:

  Philadelphia Legal Assistance

• Pennsylvania: Petition for Contempt of Support

  This will link you to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a "Petition for Contempt of Support," which you can use if you are a party to a current support order and the other party violates the order. If you also want to change the support order, you must file a Petition To Modify Support in addition to a Petition for Contempt of Support. The site will ask you a series of questions about your situation and then create a petition for YOU based on YOUR ANSWERS. The petition can then be printed and filed in your local court. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. Read More

  By:

  Philadelphia Legal Assistance

• Pennsylvania: Petition to Modify Support

  This will link you to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a "Petition To Modify Support," which you can use if you are a party to a current support order and you want to ask for a change (increase/decrease) or to stop the order. The site will ask you a series of questions about your situation and then create a petition for YOU based on YOUR ANSWERS. The petition can then be printed and filed in your local court. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. Read More

  By:

  Philadelphia Legal Assistance

• Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

  Costs to record, or “file” documents such as the complaint, vary from the type of document, or pleading, to the county in which you begin your case. Some court filing costs may be in the hundreds of dollars. If you cannot afford to pay these fees to the court, you will need to complete this form, In Forma Pauperis, a Latin term, referring to someone who cannot pay. Read More

  By:

  Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts