Delaware County PA

For more frequently asked questions visit www.childsupport.state.pa.us

General

Where is the Domestic Relations Section of Delaware County located?
Curran Building (located behind main Court House)
Second and Orange Streets
Media, PA 19063
For directions to the Court House complex located at 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA, click here.

How do I contact the Domestic Relations Office?
Internet:
In our ongoing effort to serve you better, we are now available to client service via e-mail. Click here to e-mail Domestic Relations.
Attorney: DelawareCourtLiaison@pacses.com
Client: DelawareCaseworker@pacses.com
Or, through the State of Pennsylvania Child Support Website
www.childsupport.state.pa.us
Telephone:
Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., call our client Information Center at (610) 891-4314 or fax us at (610) 891-1959.
Mail:
P.O. Box 543
Media, PA 19063

How do I change my address?
Submit your new address in writing and include a copy of a photo I.D. to:
Domestic Relations
P.O. Box 543
Media, PA 19063
Go online to www.childsupport.state.pa.us

How do I close my case?
Plaintiff: You may close your case by appearing in Domestic Relations with a valid picture I.D. and signing a form.

*If you are a Plaintiff receiving T.A.N.F (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) from the Department of Public Welfare you cannot close your case until you speak to your County Assistance Office first.*
Defendant: If the plaintiff is in agreement, the plaintiff must appear in the Domestic Relations Office with valid picture identification to sign a form.
If the plaintiff does not agree and the child is emancipated or no longer residing with the plaintiff, you may file a petition to vacate through your attorney or appear in Domestic Relations for our assistance. There is a $10.00 filing fee.

My Child is 18 years of age and is graduating High School this year, what should I do?
Please fill out the Emancipation Inquiry form here and send it to our office at P. O. Box 543 Media PA 19063…

If a case is close, can it be reopened?
Yes. Call for an appointment or appear in Domestic Relations to file a new complaint.

Where can I obtain copies of my file?
You may request copies of court orders, payment history and docket history by completing a document request form and mailing it to Domestic Relations at P.O. Box 543, Media, PA 19063. You can download this form . There is a fee for copies of court orders of $1.00 per page and an additional $5.00 if you want the copies certified. If your request requires payment of a fee, the Domestic Relations Office will contact you once your request is received.
If you give your child up for adoption, do you have to pay support?
No, the case will be closed upon presenting the court order to Domestic Relations. All arrears up to the date of adoption will be collected, unless the parties agree otherwise.

What do I need when I file for Support?
To file initial complaint for support you would need as much of the following information or items as possible: address information of Non-Custodial parent, date of birth and social security Numbers for all parties, employment information for both Custodial and Non-Custodial parents, and all medical information.

To access the Application for Child or Spousal Support Services Click here…

You may complete the two forms above and bring them in with you to speed up your Intake conference.

Case Establishment

Do I need an appointment to file a complaint for support
To speed your visit, please call the Client Information Center at (610) 891-4314 to make an appointment.

If you are under age 18, can you file for support?
Yes, however, you need a parent or guardian present at the time of filing and at subsequent scheduled conferences and hearings.

If you are under 18, do you have to pay support?
Yes. You may have a support order entered against you. A Parent or guardian should accompany the minor during Domestic Relations proceedings.

What is the cost of paternity testing?
Paternity testing (genetic, buccal swab) testing costs $49.00 per person.

How long does it take to receive paternity test results?
It takes about 7-10 days for Domestic Relations to receive the results. When the results are received, a Domestic Relations Officer will schedule a conference and send you a copy of the results or if represented, a copy to your attorney.

If an acknowledgement of paternity is signed and you later find out that you are not the father, are you still responsible for support?
Yes, once paternity and a support order are established, you are required to pay support. You must seek advice from an attorney if you are challenging support.

How is an order established?
Once a complaint (to obtain a Complaint see below) is filed which includes the address for the defendant to receive service, a conference is scheduled within thirty days. The conference is conducted by a Domestic Relations Officer who reviews the parties’ incomes to complete the statewide guideline calculation.
To view the Statewide Guidelines go to http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/231/Chapter1910/chap1910toc.html

If married, is my spouse’s income considered in establishing an order?
If you are married, you may be asked for your spouse’s income for purposes of determining your tax bracket and for total household expenses. It is not factored into the support guideline, but may be considered as a deviation from the guideline.
Please click here for a print of our Income Statement form to bring with you for your office conference…
Please click here for a print of our Guidelines Expense Statement form to bring with you for your office conference…
Both these forms are needed to assist our office.

How do I have my support order modified?
You must file a petition for modification, there is a $10.00 filing fee for a petition to modify. If you are a Plaintiff who is being represented by the Office of Support Representation, or would like to contact them please call 610-891-4233. If you have an attorney and you would like them to file the petition on your behalf please contact them. If you are filing the petition on your own you may appear in our office for assistance, call the Client Information Center for an appointment to speed your visit. Contact us at (610) 891-4314.

I am now divorced, how do I cancel spousal support?
You may appear in, write to, or fax Domestic Relations a copy of your divorce decree and your obligation for spousal support will be removed from the order.

Case Enforcement

How do I have my order/arrears enforced?
Please call Domestic Relations Client Information Center at 610-891-4314 (PRESS 2) and speak to a representative to request that your case be listed for a contempt conference. You are not required to appear at this conference. If the matter is resolved at the conference, you will be notified. If the matter could not be resolved or the defendant fails to appear, the case will be listed for a Judge and notice will be sent to you. You must appear at the court hearing.

How do I get payment of medical bills?
The plaintiff is responsible for the first $250.00 unreimbursed medical expenses per year. Once this is satisfied, the plaintiff should send copies of medical bills to the defendant by certified mail and within thirty days of receipt. The defendant must make payment within thirty days. If the defendant fails to pay medical bills, the plaintiff may contact Domestic Relations to request that an enforcement conference be scheduled.

If a warrant is issued by a Pennsylvania court, can the defendant be arrested in another state?
Bench warrants ordered by a Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas are enforceable only within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
If you have any information regarding a Defendant please call our Hotline at 1-877-RWANTED (792-6833)

How do I file an Appeal?
An appeal must be filed at the Court Unit of the Domestic Relations Section within ten (20) days, including weekends, of your court hearing. You may have your attorney prepare and file the appeal or you may come to the Domestic Relations Section for our assistance. There is a $10.00 filing fee that must be paid at the time of filing. Once the fee is paid and the appeal has been filed, the Court Unit will schedule the matter.

I have court date and I can’t make it?
You are required to appear for all conferences and court hearings unless you file a continuance and it is approved. Failure to appear may result in the issuance of a bench warrant or your petition being dismissed.

How do I file a continuance?
You may pick up a continuance form at Domestic Relations.

I did not appear for court and want to know what happened?
Domestic Relations will mail you a copy of the court order. You may also call the Client Information Center at (610) 891-4314.

Financial

Where can I find the total amount of my arrears (how much is owed on support)?
You can call Domestic Relations at (610) 891-4314 and access this information 24-hours per day through the Interactive Voice Response system (PRESS 1) or speak to a Client Information Representative during regular work hours (PRESS 2).
Or you may go to the PACSES Portal at www.childsupport.state.pa.us

How can I request an audit of my account?
You may request an audit by calling the Client Information Center at (610) 891-4314 or by e-mail to DelawareCaseworker@pacses.com Domestic Relations will first send you a copy of your complete payment history for your review. If you find any discrepancies and have supporting documentation, Domestic Relations will schedule an audit.

What is the Pennsylvania EPPICard ?
In August, 2004, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania implemented the new EPPICard™ program. Custodial parents can now access their payments online using a MasterCard® debit card. 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.

Where do I call if I have questions about my Pennsylvania EPPICard?
1-800-304-1669 is the number to call for anything related to your Pennsylvania EPPICard™. Write that number down in your telephone book. It is also printed on the back of your Pennsylvania EPPICard™. If you are calling from a location outside of the US please call 1-801-933-8542 collect..

How do I activate by Pennsylvania EPPICard?
Simply call the EPPICard™ Customer Service line at 800-304-1669 to activate the card. This phone number is on the back of your new card. You will be asked to choose a PIN to activate your card. After this phone call is completed your card will be ready to use to make purchases or to withdraw cash.

When do I call 1-800-304-1669?
Anytime you need any information about your Pennsylvania EPPICard™. This number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call Customer Service if you need to:

· Report lost or stolen cards
· Check you balance
· Change your PIN
· Review transaction history
· Register a complaint about a card issue
· Ask questions about card use
· Discuss international card use
· Report that your card was not received in the mail

If you have questions regarding anything else about your child support case (such as enforcement, modifying your support order) you must call your local county Domestic Relations Office.

Do I have to get a Pennsylvania EPPICard™?
If you decide you do not want a card, you may have your funds direct deposited into a personal bank account. If you want to use the direct deposit option, contact you local Domestic Relations office or Pennsylvania SCDU. Either location will provide the appropriate form for you to complete. Completed Direct Deposit forms must be sent to PA SCDU for processing.

What if I do not sign up for direct deposit?
You will be automatically sent a Pennsylvania EPPICard™ if you do not sign up for direct deposit

How will I know how much money is in my Pennsylvania EPPICard™ account?
You can call EPPICard™ customer service at 1-800-304-1669 to check your balance. You may check your balance online at www.EPPICard.com. You may also use an ATM to perform a balance inquiry. There is a $.50 fee for balance inquires. There may also be a surcharge fee if the inquiry is not performed at a Wachovia or PNC Bank ATM.

Will I get a monthly statement showing what I spent?
You may request a monthly statement. One will not be automatically sent to you. To request a statement, you must call EPPICard™ customer service. You can also access information regarding your Pennsylvania EPPICard™ at www.EPPICard.com.

Are there any charges for using my Pennsylvania EPPICard™?
If you ask for cash withdrawal from a teller at any financial institution that displays the MasterCard® brand mark you should not be charged a fee. If you withdraw funds from a Wachovia or PNC Bank ATM, there is no surcharge but there will always be a communication line fee of $.95 for use of the network. There is a $.50 fee for balance inquires at an ATM. Banks other than Wachovia or PNC may also charge an ATM surcharge fee for balance inquires. An ATM surcharge is different from a communication line fee and may or may not be charged when you use an ATM to get cash. You will always be advised about this fee before it is charged. You may choose to cancel the withdrawal and go to another ATM that does not surcharge or you may continue with your withdrawal.

What if I forget my secret code or PIN?
If you did not write it down in a secure place at home and you cannot remember it, call customer service at 1-800-304-1669 and select a new PIN

What should I do if I lose my Pennsylvania EPPICard™?
Call 1-800-304-1669 when you realize that your card is missing. This puts a hold on your account and no one will be able to use the card. If you find your card after you report it to customer service, you will not be able to use the original card. You must wait for the replacement to arrive in the mail. Your first replacement will be issued at no charge. However, each time after the first time that you request a replacement card you will be charged a fee of $5.00.

What was the last check posted to my account?
You can call Domestic Relations at (610) 891-4314 and access this information 24-hours per day through the Interactive Voice Response system (PRESS 1) or speak to a Client Information Representative during regular work hours (PRESS 2).

Why are my payments going to the Department of Public Assistance?
When you file for cash assistance, you agree to assign your support to the Department of Public assistance for reimbursement.

How do I make payments until my wage attachment is issued to my employer, or if I am self employed?
You must make your support payments by check or money, include your member identification number, and mail to:
PA SCDU
P.O. Box 69110
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9110

[ Return to the Main Domestic Relations Page ]



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	Domestic Relations FAQs -Frequently Asked Questions [ Return to the Main Domestic Relations Page ] \| General \| Case Establishment \| Case Enforcement \| Financial \| For more frequently asked questions visit www.childsupport.state.pa.us General Where is the Domestic Relations Section of Delaware County located? Curran Building (located behind main Court House) Second and Orange Streets Media, PA 19063 For directions to the Court House complex located at 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA, click here. How do I contact the Domestic Relations Office? Internet: In our ongoing effort to serve you better, we are now available to client service via e-mail. Click here to e-mail Domestic Relations. Attorney: DelawareCourtLiaison@pacses.com Client: DelawareCaseworker@pacses.com Or, through the State of Pennsylvania Child Support Website www.childsupport.state.pa.us Telephone: Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., call our client Information Center at (610) 891-4314 or fax us at (610) 891-1959. Mail: P.O. Box 543 Media, PA 19063 How do I change my address? Submit your new address in writing and include a copy of a photo I.D. to: Domestic Relations P.O. Box 543 Media, PA 19063 Go online to www.childsupport.state.pa.us How do I close my case? Plaintiff: You may close your case by appearing in Domestic Relations with a valid picture I.D. and signing a form. If you are a Plaintiff receiving T.A.N.F (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) from the Department of Public Welfare you cannot close your case until you speak to your County Assistance Office first. Defendant: If the plaintiff is in agreement, the plaintiff must appear in the Domestic Relations Office with valid picture identification to sign a form. If the plaintiff does not agree and the child is emancipated or no longer residing with the plaintiff, you may file a petition to vacate through your attorney or appear in Domestic Relations for our assistance. There is a $10.00 filing fee. My Child is 18 years of age and is graduating High School this year, what should I do? Please fill out the Emancipation Inquiry form here and send it to our office at P. O. Box 543 Media PA 19063… If a case is close, can it be reopened? Yes. Call for an appointment or appear in Domestic Relations to file a new complaint. Where can I obtain copies of my file? You may request copies of court orders, payment history and docket history by completing a document request form and mailing it to Domestic Relations at P.O. Box 543, Media, PA 19063. You can download this form . There is a fee for copies of court orders of $1.00 per page and an additional $5.00 if you want the copies certified. If your request requires payment of a fee, the Domestic Relations Office will contact you once your request is received. If you give your child up for adoption, do you have to pay support? No, the case will be closed upon presenting the court order to Domestic Relations. All arrears up to the date of adoption will be collected, unless the parties agree otherwise. What do I need when I file for Support? To file initial complaint for support you would need as much of the following information or items as possible: address information of Non-Custodial parent, date of birth and social security Numbers for all parties, employment information for both Custodial and Non-Custodial parents, and all medical information. To access the Application for Child or Spousal Support Services Click here… You may complete the two forms above and bring them in with you to speed up your Intake conference. Case Establishment Do I need an appointment to file a complaint for support To speed your visit, please call the Client Information Center at (610) 891-4314 to make an appointment. If you are under age 18, can you file for support? Yes, however, you need a parent or guardian present at the time of filing and at subsequent scheduled conferences and hearings. If you are under 18, do you have to pay support? Yes. You may have a support order entered against you. A Parent or guardian should accompany the minor during Domestic Relations proceedings. What is the cost of paternity testing? Paternity testing (genetic, buccal swab) testing costs $49.00 per person. How long does it take to receive paternity test results? It takes about 7-10 days for Domestic Relations to receive the results. When the results are received, a Domestic Relations Officer will schedule a conference and send you a copy of the results or if represented, a copy to your attorney. If an acknowledgement of paternity is signed and you later find out that you are not the father, are you still responsible for support? Yes, once paternity and a support order are established, you are required to pay support. You must seek advice from an attorney if you are challenging support. How is an order established? Once a complaint (to obtain a Complaint see below) is filed which includes the address for the defendant to receive service, a conference is scheduled within thirty days. The conference is conducted by a Domestic Relations Officer who reviews the parties’ incomes to complete the statewide guideline calculation. To view the Statewide Guidelines go to http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/231/Chapter1910/chap1910toc.html If married, is my spouse’s income considered in establishing an order? If you are married, you may be asked for your spouse’s income for purposes of determining your tax bracket and for total household expenses. It is not factored into the support guideline, but may be considered as a deviation from the guideline. Please click here for a print of our Income Statement form to bring with you for your office conference… Please click here for a print of our Guidelines Expense Statement form to bring with you for your office conference… Both these forms are needed to assist our office. How do I have my support order modified? You must file a petition for modification, there is a $10.00 filing fee for a petition to modify. If you are a Plaintiff who is being represented by the Office of Support Representation, or would like to contact them please call 610-891-4233. If you have an attorney and you would like them to file the petition on your behalf please contact them. If you are filing the petition on your own you may appear in our office for assistance, call the Client Information Center for an appointment to speed your visit. Contact us at (610) 891-4314. I am now divorced, how do I cancel spousal support? You may appear in, write to, or fax Domestic Relations a copy of your divorce decree and your obligation for spousal support will be removed from the order. Case Enforcement How do I have my order/arrears enforced? Please call Domestic Relations Client Information Center at 610-891-4314 (PRESS 2) and speak to a representative to request that your case be listed for a contempt conference. You are not required to appear at this conference. If the matter is resolved at the conference, you will be notified. If the matter could not be resolved or the defendant fails to appear, the case will be listed for a Judge and notice will be sent to you. You must appear at the court hearing. How do I get payment of medical bills? The plaintiff is responsible for the first $250.00 unreimbursed medical expenses per year. Once this is satisfied, the plaintiff should send copies of medical bills to the defendant by certified mail and within thirty days of receipt. The defendant must make payment within thirty days. If the defendant fails to pay medical bills, the plaintiff may contact Domestic Relations to request that an enforcement conference be scheduled. If a warrant is issued by a Pennsylvania court, can the defendant be arrested in another state? Bench warrants ordered by a Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas are enforceable only within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you have any information regarding a Defendant please call our Hotline at 1-877-RWANTED (792-6833) How do I file an Appeal? An appeal must be filed at the Court Unit of the Domestic Relations Section within ten (20) days, including weekends, of your court hearing. You may have your attorney prepare and file the appeal or you may come to the Domestic Relations Section for our assistance. There is a $10.00 filing fee that must be paid at the time of filing. Once the fee is paid and the appeal has been filed, the Court Unit will schedule the matter. I have court date and I can’t make it? You are required to appear for all conferences and court hearings unless you file a continuance and it is approved. Failure to appear may result in the issuance of a bench warrant or your petition being dismissed. How do I file a continuance? You may pick up a continuance form at Domestic Relations. I did not appear for court and want to know what happened? Domestic Relations will mail you a copy of the court order. You may also call the Client Information Center at (610) 891-4314. Financial Where can I find the total amount of my arrears (how much is owed on support)? You can call Domestic Relations at (610) 891-4314 and access this information 24-hours per day through the Interactive Voice Response system (PRESS 1) or speak to a Client Information Representative during regular work hours (PRESS 2). Or you may go to the PACSES Portal at www.childsupport.state.pa.us How can I request an audit of my account? You may request an audit by calling the Client Information Center at (610) 891-4314 or by e-mail to DelawareCaseworker@pacses.com Domestic Relations will first send you a copy of your complete payment history for your review. If you find any discrepancies and have supporting documentation, Domestic Relations will schedule an audit. What is the Pennsylvania EPPICard ? In August, 2004, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania implemented the new EPPICard™ program. Custodial parents can now access their payments online using a MasterCard® debit card. 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. Where do I call if I have questions about my Pennsylvania EPPICard? 1-800-304-1669 is the number to call for anything related to your Pennsylvania EPPICard™. Write that number down in your telephone book. It is also printed on the back of your Pennsylvania EPPICard™. If you are calling from a location outside of the US please call 1-801-933-8542 collect.. How do I activate by Pennsylvania EPPICard? Simply call the EPPICard™ Customer Service line at 800-304-1669 to activate the card. This phone number is on the back of your new card. You will be asked to choose a PIN to activate your card. After this phone call is completed your card will be ready to use to make purchases or to withdraw cash. When do I call 1-800-304-1669? Anytime you need any information about your Pennsylvania EPPICard™. This number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call Customer Service if you need to: · Report lost or stolen cards · Check you balance · Change your PIN · Review transaction history · Register a complaint about a card issue · Ask questions about card use · Discuss international card use · Report that your card was not received in the mail If you have questions regarding anything else about your child support case (such as enforcement, modifying your support order) you must call your local county Domestic Relations Office. Do I have to get a Pennsylvania EPPICard™? If you decide you do not want a card, you may have your funds direct deposited into a personal bank account. If you want to use the direct deposit option, contact you local Domestic Relations office or Pennsylvania SCDU. Either location will provide the appropriate form for you to complete. Completed Direct Deposit forms must be sent to PA SCDU for processing. What if I do not sign up for direct deposit? You will be automatically sent a Pennsylvania EPPICard™ if you do not sign up for direct deposit How will I know how much money is in my Pennsylvania EPPICard™ account? You can call EPPICard™ customer service at 1-800-304-1669 to check your balance. You may check your balance online at www.EPPICard.com. You may also use an ATM to perform a balance inquiry. There is a $.50 fee for balance inquires. There may also be a surcharge fee if the inquiry is not performed at a Wachovia or PNC Bank ATM. Will I get a monthly statement showing what I spent? You may request a monthly statement. One will not be automatically sent to you. To request a statement, you must call EPPICard™ customer service. You can also access information regarding your Pennsylvania EPPICard™ at www.EPPICard.com. Are there any charges for using my Pennsylvania EPPICard™? If you ask for cash withdrawal from a teller at any financial institution that displays the MasterCard® brand mark you should not be charged a fee. If you withdraw funds from a Wachovia or PNC Bank ATM, there is no surcharge but there will always be a communication line fee of $.95 for use of the network. There is a $.50 fee for balance inquires at an ATM. Banks other than Wachovia or PNC may also charge an ATM surcharge fee for balance inquires. An ATM surcharge is different from a communication line fee and may or may not be charged when you use an ATM to get cash. You will always be advised about this fee before it is charged. You may choose to cancel the withdrawal and go to another ATM that does not surcharge or you may continue with your withdrawal. What if I forget my secret code or PIN? If you did not write it down in a secure place at home and you cannot remember it, call customer service at 1-800-304-1669 and select a new PIN What should I do if I lose my Pennsylvania EPPICard™? Call 1-800-304-1669 when you realize that your card is missing. This puts a hold on your account and no one will be able to use the card. If you find your card after you report it to customer service, you will not be able to use the original card. You must wait for the replacement to arrive in the mail. Your first replacement will be issued at no charge. However, each time after the first time that you request a replacement card you will be charged a fee of $5.00. What was the last check posted to my account? You can call Domestic Relations at (610) 891-4314 and access this information 24-hours per day through the Interactive Voice Response system (PRESS 1) or speak to a Client Information Representative during regular work hours (PRESS 2). Why are my payments going to the Department of Public Assistance? When you file for cash assistance, you agree to assign your support to the Department of Public assistance for reimbursement. How do I make payments until my wage attachment is issued to my employer, or if I am self employed? You must make your support payments by check or money, include your member identification number, and mail to: PA SCDU P.O. Box 69110 Harrisburg, PA 17106-9110 [ Return to the Main Domestic Relations Page ]

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Domestic Relations

FAQs -Frequently Asked Questions

General

Case Establishment

Case Enforcement

Financial