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Client Rights & Responsibilities

Rights of the Clients of the Domestic Relations Division

All clients have the right to periodic review of their Support Order in accordance with the local, state and federal guidelines. At this time, the local rule in Beaver County, which governs case review, is as follows:

“No petition for modification or termination shall be filed sooner than six months from the date of the last Court Order unless the petitioning party can establish a prima facie case of extreme and material change in circumstance(s).”

All clients have the right to file exceptions to the recommendation of the Conference Officer in the event that an agreement between the parties is unable to be reached. The exception to the recommendation must be filed within ten (10) days of the date of the Court Order. A hearing shall then be scheduled before the Court.

All clients have the right to have a summary of the payment history of their case provided to them. A current payment history may be obtained through an automatic voice response system by calling 1-877-727-7238 or going to www.childsupport.state.pa.us.

Clients who are indigent and who qualify under Title IV-D are entitled to have legal representation at court hearings.


Responsibilities of the Clients of the Domestic Relations Division

All clients who receive Public Assistance are required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to cooperate with the Domestic Relations Division in establishing a support order.

All parties involved in a support case must, within seven (7) days, report any change of address or employment or change of name to the Domestic Relations Division. All changes of name or address must
be in writing.

All clients must appear at the Domestic Relations Division upon being given notice. A continuance of a conference or hearing will only be granted when both parties agree to the continuance in writing. Otherwise, a motion to continue must be presented to the Court of Common Pleas.

All clients must provide any information requested by the Court deemed necessary to process the case.