If you are dealing with unpaid child support, spousal support, or partner support in Alberta, the Maintenance Enforcement Program (“MEP”) can be an important tool to help enforce court-ordered child support and spousal support payments.
Once you submit your registration and it has been processed, MEP can start the enforcement and collection of child and spousal support. MEP has significant enforcement powers if either support payments are not made.
MEP registration has now started to accept registrations online through the Alberta government AB account portal that is accessible to the public. The online system is intended to simplify the process, reduce delays associated with mailing paperwork, and provide you active status updates as they process your MEP package.
The move toward online MEP registration is a positive development for Alberta families dealing with payment and enforcement of child and/or spousal support.
Starting the registration online is something many people still have questions about and may need assistance navigating. That is why, at Family Central Law, we offer guidance and support throughout the registration process. Our services can include gathering the necessary information, completing the required documents, and, where arrears are involved, arranging for you to attend our office to swear/affirm an affidavit of arrears.
After we submit your MEP package on your behalf, we can also continue to assist behind the scenes by communicating directly with MEP about your situation, helping the process move forward smoothly, and explaining updates in clear language so you understand what is happening without the legal jargon.
MEP administration and enforcement can still become legally complicated, especially where there are arrears, income disputes, enforcement steps, or unclear court orders.
At Family Central Law, we frequently see clients dealing with issues such as:
- unclear support terms in court orders,
- disputes over arrears,
- incorrect income calculations,
- direct payments not properly credited,
- delayed enforcement, and
- changing child and spousal support obligations.
- vary support,
- dispute arrears,
- negotiate payment arrangements,
- address enforcement disputes, or
- bring court applications for any of the above.
If you need assistance in dealing with child and/or spousal support, arrears, or MEP enforcement issues, contact our team at Family Central Law Office, and we’ll help you better understand your rights, and provide guidance tailored to your situation. Please contact us today for a free consultation with our family lawyers by calling our office at 1-866-278-4187, or emailing info@familycentrallaw.com, or by clicking on our consultation page.
