How to File for Support if the Father Lives in Ohio & the Mother Lives in Pennsylvania

It can take longer to collect child support from a parent who lives in another state.

When the mother and father live in different states, the state attorney general's office can be called upon to work with the child support offices in those states. If the father lives in Ohio and the mother lives in Pennsylvania, the custodial parent's child enforcement office and court system must process the case within the time frame required for the legal jurisdiction where they live. If you are attempting to establish a new support order, the process could take up to a year.

Things You'll Need

• Order for child support
• Non-custodial parent employment information
• Non-custodial parent contact information

Instructions

Order for Support

1. Establish paternity. If the child was born out of wedlock, the first step is to establish paternity. If paternity is in dispute, either parent can request a blood test. The establishment of paternity can provide the basic emotional, economic and social ties between a father and child. Once paternity is established, a child gains privileges and legal rights. The fact that the mother and father live in different states should not prevent paternity from being established.

2. Seek an obligation for support. The fair amount of child support that should be paid by the non-custodial parent is determined according to the guidelines of the state of the custodial parent. If you do not know the address of the non-custodial parent, your caseworker can use a state and federal location database. Once a support order has been approved by the court, the financial obligation of the non-custodial parent will be established. In order to obtain an order for support, you must contact your local child support agency.

3. Locate your local child support office. You may be able to download the child support application online or request that one be mailed to you.

4. Complete the application and mail back to the address provided. You will be required to pay the filing fee when the completed support application is returned to the court. The filing fee in Pennsylvania is $85.50.

5. Attend the child support hearing. Once you have submitted the child support application, a hearing date will be scheduled. You will receive a letter from the court with the hearing date and time, along with a list of any other documents you will need to bring. Both the custodial and non-custodial parents should attend the hearing. If either parent is not present, the hearing and rulings likely will favor the parent who is present. If the non-custodial parent lives out of state and is unable to attend, an attorney can attend the hearing in his absence. When you attend the hearing, be sure to bring all information regarding your income and monthly expenses. The fair amount of child support the non-custodial parent will have to pay will be determined according to state guidelines.

Collecting Support Payments

1. Petition the court where the non-custodial parent lives. Under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, you can collect support payments from a parent who resides in a different state. You will need to supply your local child support agency with the facts of the case, including the address and name of the non-custodial parent.

2. Mail an affidavit of the facts and the established petition to the child support agency where the non-custodial parent lives. The responding state will review the documents along with any information about the non-custodial parent's ability to pay.

3. Keep the local child support agency informed of where the non-custodial parent lives and works. Your child support case can be transferred to the county or state where you reside if you are the custodial parent. Child support can be enforced anywhere in the United States.

4. Make sure the non-custodial parent's employment information is current. If the non-custodial parent lives in another state, child support payments can be taken out of his paycheck. If payments are not made, the support order can be enforced by seizing or placing liens on any property the parent owns.

Tips & Warnings

• Under federal law, child support agencies in different states must assist one another in the collection of child support and establishing paternity. Collecting child support payments from a parent who lives in another state usually takes longer and can be more difficult than collecting child support when both parents reside in the same state.

References

• Child Support Web: Pennsylvania
• The Philadelphia Courts: Child Support Brochure
• National Child Support Enforcement Association: Uniform Interstate Family Support Act

Resources

• Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare: Child Support Program
• Divorce Net: Pennsylvania Child Support Paternity
• Women's Law: Pennsylvania Custody