Pennsylvania's child support system is run by the state and your county, not by a private company

In Pennsylvania, child support is a legal obligation enforced by the Domestic Relations Office in your county courthouse. One parent pays the other to help cover the child's living costs. The state has a formula that calculates how much based on both parents' income, custody arrangement, and how many children are involved. The process starts when someone files a petition — either a parent, a custodian, or the county itself if the family receives public assistance.

Pennsylvania does not require parents to go to court first. You can file directly with your county's Domestic Relations Office, or the office can open a case on its own if you receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or other state benefits. Once a case is open, the office investigates both parents' income, serves legal papers, and schedules a hearing if the parents do not agree on an amount.

Key Takeaways

  • Your county Domestic Relations Office handles child support cases, not a state office, and you file the petition there in person or by mail.
  • Pennsylvania uses an income-based formula that accounts for both parents' gross income, custody time, and the number of children to set the monthly payment amount.
  • If parents agree on an amount, you can submit a written agreement to avoid a hearing; if they disagree, a hearing officer or judge sets the amount.
  • The paying parent must continue support until the child turns 18, or 19 if still in high school, and can be held in contempt of court if payments stop.
  • The county can intercept tax refunds, garnish wages, and suspend licenses to enforce unpaid child support.

How the income formula works and what it produces

Pennsylvania calculates child support using both parents' gross income — that means before taxes, not take-home pay. Gross income includes wages, self-employment earnings, rental income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and some other sources. The state publishes a table each year that shows the base support amount for different income levels and numbers of children.

The formula also factors in how much time each child spends with each parent. If one parent has the child most of the time, the other parent typically pays more. If custody is split roughly equally, the payment is lower. The parent with higher income usually pays; if both earn similar amounts, the calculation may result in one parent owing the other a small amount or no payment at all.

The base amount from the table is not the final number. The court can adjust it up or down based on factors like childcare costs, health insurance premiums, extraordinary medical expenses, or if either parent has other children to support. The final order will state the exact monthly amount, the due date, and where to send the payment.

Filing a petition and what happens next

To start a child support case, you file a Complaint to Establish Child Support (or a modification complaint if support already exists) with your county Domestic Relations Office. You need the other parent's name, address, and Social Security number if you have it. You can file in person at the courthouse, by mail, or sometimes online through your county's system — check your county's website for the exact method.

After you file, the Domestic Relations Office serves the other parent with legal papers. That parent then has a set number of days to respond. If both parents agree on the amount, you can submit a written agreement called a Stipulation and Consent Order, and a judge signs it without a hearing. If they disagree, the office schedules a hearing before a hearing officer or judge, usually within 60 to 90 days.

At the hearing, both parents present income information — pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of childcare or medical costs. The hearing officer or judge applies the formula and issues an order. Either parent can object within 10 days and ask for a new hearing before a judge. Once the order is final, it is a court judgment, and the paying parent must follow it or face contempt charges.

Where payments go and how they are tracked

Child support payments in Pennsylvania go to the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement (SCDU) office, not directly to the other parent. Payments are made by wage withholding (the employer deducts it from the paycheck), by check or money order mailed to SCDU, or by electronic transfer. The SCDU tracks all payments and sends a statement to both parents showing what has been paid and what is owed.

If the paying parent is employed, the Domestic Relations Office sends a wage withholding order to the employer. The employer must deduct the support amount from each paycheck and send it to SCDU. This is the most reliable method because it happens automatically. If the paying parent is self-employed or unemployed, they must make payments on their own, usually by the first of each month.

The receiving parent does not handle the money directly. SCDU deposits it into an account and sends it to the receiving parent by check or direct deposit, usually within a few days of receipt. This system protects both parents — the paying parent has proof of payment, and the receiving parent has a record of what was received.

Modifying or ending child support

If circumstances change — either parent loses a job, gets a significant raise, or custody changes — either parent can file to modify the support amount. You file a Complaint to Modify Child Support with the Domestic Relations Office. The change must be substantial and ongoing, not temporary. A raise of a few hundred dollars a month or a job loss usually qualifies; a one-time bonus does not.

The same hearing process applies to modifications. Both parents present current income information, and the hearing officer recalculates using the current formula. If the new amount would be at least 10 percent different from the current order, the court can change it. Modifications are effective from the date you file, not retroactively, so do not wait if your income has dropped.

Child support ends automatically when the child turns 18, or 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school full-time. It also ends if the child joins the military, is legally emancipated, or dies. The paying parent does not need to file anything — the order simply expires. However, if there is unpaid support (arrears) from before the child turned 18, that debt remains and can still be collected.

Enforcement when payments are not made

If the paying parent falls behind, the Domestic Relations Office can enforce the order in several ways. The most common is wage garnishment — the office sends an order to the employer to withhold even more from the paycheck until arrears are paid. The office can also intercept state and federal tax refunds, place a lien on property, or suspend a driver's license or professional license.

If the paying parent is self-employed or has no regular income, the office can file a contempt motion in court. The paying parent then has to appear before a judge and explain why support has not been paid. If the judge finds the parent has the ability to pay but refuses, the parent can be fined or jailed until the arrears are paid. This is rare but does happen.

The receiving parent can also ask the Domestic Relations Office to pursue enforcement, or can hire a private attorney to file a contempt motion. Many parents do not realize they can push for enforcement themselves — the office will not do it automatically if you do not ask. If you have not received a payment in more than a month, contact your county Domestic Relations Office and ask them to take action.

What to bring to a hearing or meeting

If you have a hearing, bring original or certified copies of recent documents. For income, bring the last two months of pay stubs, last year's tax return, and a letter from your employer stating your current hourly rate or salary. If you are self-employed, bring profit-and-loss statements or tax returns for the last two years. If you receive benefits like Social Security or unemployment, bring the award letter or benefit statement.

Bring proof of childcare costs (invoices or receipts), health insurance premiums (the insurance card or a statement from your employer), and extraordinary medical expenses (bills or receipts). If you have other children you support, bring birth certificates or court orders showing custody. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card. If the other parent has not paid support or has missed visits, bring documentation like bank statements or a calendar of missed pickups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can child support be ordered if the parents were never married?

Yes. Pennsylvania allows child support orders whether the parents were married, lived together, or never had a relationship. If paternity has not been established, the Domestic Relations Office can file a separate action to establish it first, then set support. You do not need a marriage certificate to file for support.

What if the paying parent lives in another state?

Pennsylvania can enforce orders across state lines under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). Your county Domestic Relations Office can send the order to the other state and request wage withholding there. If the other parent moves frequently, tell your office so they can update the employer information. Interstate cases take longer but work the same way.

Does child support count as income for benefits like food stamps or Medicaid?

No. Child support received is not counted as income when you apply for TANF, food stamps (SNAP), or Medicaid. It does not affect your benefits. However, if you receive TANF, the state may require you to cooperate with child support enforcement, and any support collected may offset your TANF grant.

Can I get child support if I have primary custody but the other parent has overnight visits?

Yes. The formula accounts for the time each parent spends with the child. Even if one parent has the child most nights, the other parent still pays support based on their income and the custody split. The amount will be lower than if there were no overnight visits, but support is still owed.

What happens if the paying parent becomes disabled or retired?

Disability or retirement does not automatically stop support. However, you can file to modify the order based on your new income. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or retirement benefits, those count as income in the formula. The court will recalculate based on that income. If you have no income at all, you can request a modification, but you must show you cannot work.