Once you have an agreement or court order about child support, you must pay support to the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent.. A recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. can take steps to collect child support and overdue payments. If you are struggling to keep up with payments, you can ask the court to change the amount of support.
If you do not know who should be paying child support or how much is owed, review the Calculate child support page.
On this page, “parent” refers to both parents and guardians.
Need to know
- An agreement or child support order sets out who pays, when they are supposed to pay, how much they pay and how they pay.
- The Maintenance Enforcement Program, or MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program., is a free government service that collects payments from the payorpayor A person who pays money to another person. For example, a person who pays child support to the other parent. and distributes them to the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent..
- If not using MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program., you can take steps to make payments, including communicating with the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. or changing your court order.
- If you would suffer undue hardshipundue hardship A legal argument someone can use to reduce the amount of support they owe. The person must prove they would suffer unfair financial hardship if they had to pay the amount of support required by law. by paying overdue or retroactive child support, you can ask the court to change or cancel the amounts.
Get started
Learn the basics about child support rules before you pay child support.
Next, review your agreement or order about child support. Note the following:
- How and when are you supposed to pay child support?
- How much child support do you owe per month?
- What is the amount of child support based on? Has something changed to suggest the amount of child support is incorrect?
- Are there instructions on what will happen if you are not paying on time? If so, what are they?
Use the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP)
The Maintenance Enforcement Program, or MEP, collects court-ordered child support and enforces payment as needed. It receives the support owing from the payorpayor A person who pays money to another person. For example, a person who pays child support to the other parent. and distributes it to the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent.. MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. is a free service of the Government of Alberta.
You can use MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. to pay both regular and overdue payments. You can register with MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. as soon as you have a child support order or file a Maintenance Enforcement Support Agreement with the Court of King’s Bench. Either the payorpayor A person who pays money to another person. For example, a person who pays child support to the other parent. or recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. can register with MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program.. If the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. registers with MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program., you will receive a notice with more information.
Three reasons why you might want to use MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. are:
- You do not have to interact with the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent., only with MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program..
- MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. tracks all payments in and out, as well as interest gained and overdue child support. The recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. cannot claim they did not receive a payment from you when you did in fact pay it.
- MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. can approve temporary payment plans to pay child support, including overdue amounts.
MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. cannot represent you or give you legal advice. MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. also cannot adjust child support amounts or calculate retroactive child support.
- If you live outside of Alberta, register with the enforcement program in your jurisdictionjurisdiction The scope of government authority or power over certain subjects, usually within a geographical area. It also refers to the scope of authority or power of a court. or call MEP in Alberta for more information.
- Make sure you have one of the following documents that clearly says how much you owe and must pay each month:
- child support order
- Maintenance Enforcement Support Agreement that is filed with the Court of King’s Bench (learn more by reading the instructions)
- Complete the payorpayor A person who pays money to another person. For example, a person who pays child support to the other parent. registration forms and mail them to the MEP office. Find the registration forms on the Government of Alberta’s website.
- MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. will review your forms and notify the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent..
- Once MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. accepts the file and notifies the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent., you must stop making payments directly to the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. and must instead pay MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program.. The recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. will then receive payments through MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program., not directly from you.
Pay regular, on-time payments
If you are not using MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program., you can pay child support payments directly to the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent.. This may be a good option if you and the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. have a good relationship and you both agree to pay them directly.
Your agreement or order should say how and when you must pay child support. For example, you may e-transfer money or send a cheque on the first day of each month. Do not pay in cash.
You should label each payment so it can be traced later if necessary. For example, in the message section of the e-transfer or on the memo line of the cheque, note the month and year and that the money is for child support, such as “June 2024 child support”.
Pay overdue payments, known as arrears
Overdue payments are late, missed or partial payments. If you are not using MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program., you and the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. can take steps to deal with overdue child support.
If you miss a payment for a valid reason, good communication goes a long way in preventing disputes. Send the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. a note in writing, such as a text, email or letter. Include how much you owe and when you will pay it.
It is best to communicate in writing so you have proof of who said what. If you talk with the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. in person or on the phone, follow up with them in writing to summarize what each of you said. This can make sure you both have the same understanding of the conversations.
If you do not try to work with the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. to figure out how to pay overdue support, the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. can take further steps against you.
For tips on how to talk with the other person to resolve disputes, visit the How to communicate with the other person page.
If you have a written agreement about child support but no court order, the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. may ask the court to include the agreement in a child support order. This can make it easier for them to collect overdue payments.
If you miss payments once you have a child support order, the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. can go back to court and ask the court to enforce the order. The court can order you to pay the full amount that is overdue. The order usually includes a payment plan for doing so.
Follow the instructions on the Get or respond to a court order page. Remember, going to court takes time and money. It should always be a last resort.
If you are behind on payments and struggling to keep up, you can ask the court to change or cancel overdue child support if you would suffer undue hardshipundue hardship A legal argument someone can use to reduce the amount of support they owe. The person must prove they would suffer unfair financial hardship if they had to pay the amount of support required by law..
You must make this request to the court as soon as possible after your situation changes. The longer you wait, the less successful you may be.
To make this request to the court, you must:
- share your financial information
- prove your income has changed significantly and for the long-term
- prove you have tried to earn more money
- have a good reason for why you did not ask the court to change the child support order or agreement when your income first changed instead of letting overdue child support add up
The court is very hesitant to change or cancel the amount of overdue child support. There must be a strong reason why you should not have to pay the overdue support, such as if it would be extremely unfair for you to pay the amount owing. Usually, the court will postpone the payments or allow you to pay the amount you owe over time instead.
Follow the instructions on the Get or respond to a court order page. Remember, going to court takes time and money. It should always be a last resort.
Myth busters
Some people believe they can stop paying child support if their ex moves in with a new partner.
This is not true. Someone else acting as a parent to your children does not end your obligations to financially support your children.
Pay backpay, known as retroactive child support
Retroactive child support is back pay of child support to correct the non-payment, under-payment or overpayment of child support. Learn more on the Rules about child support page.
If your income changes, either up or down, you should share this with the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. as soon as possible. You should also share updated financial information to prove your situation. If you are not upfront about your changes in income, the court may find you have engaged in blameworthy conduct.
If you have been underpaying child support in the past, the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. can request you pay retroactive child support.
If you are using MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program., they cannot help you calculate retroactive child support, but they can enforce retroactive child support in a child support order.
If you owe child support going forward as well, make sure you have an agreement or court order about the amount you owe and when to share financial information to recalculate child support if need be. Sharing your financial information with each other every year helps avoid having to deal with retroactive child support.
If the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. requests retroactive child support, see if you can work together without going to court. You can make an agreement yourselves or get help from a legal professional. Once you have an agreement, you can turn it into a consent order, which allows the court to enforce the agreement if someone is not following it.
If you and the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. do not agree on retroactive child support, they may go to court. Remember, going to court takes time and money. It should always be your last resort.
The process for responding to a retroactive child support order is the same as for responding to a child support order. Follow the steps on the Get or respond to a court order page.
When responding to a request for a retroactive child support order, you must share financial information for the years requested. This will help the court decide whether you owe retroactive child support, and, if you do, how much you owe and when to pay it.
When deciding on retroactive child support, the court considers many factors, including:
- the reasons why the person requesting retroactive support didn’t ask for it sooner, for example, if they were unable to afford a lawyer
- if you engaged in blameworthy conduct
- the circumstances of the children when they weren’t receiving support payments, for example, if they were living below the poverty line
- whether a retroactive child support order would cause you undue hardshipundue hardship A legal argument someone can use to reduce the amount of support they owe. The person must prove they would suffer unfair financial hardship if they had to pay the amount of support required by law., for example, if you do not have the income, savings and property to pay it
If you’ve been overpaying child support
You can also request the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. pay retroactive child support if you have been overpaying support in the past. Find tips for collecting retroactive child support on the Collect child support page.
Potential issues
You are not sure if the amount of child support payments is still correct.
You should recalculate child support if one parent’s income or financial situation changes. As the payorpayor A person who pays money to another person. For example, a person who pays child support to the other parent., you must continue to pay the current amount of child support until you agree on or the court orders a new amount.
You cannot find or contact the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent..
If you register with MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program., they can take steps to distribute and enforce court-ordered child support. Contact MEP to learn more.
You or the recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. lives outside Alberta.
MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. can monitor and enforce a court order when the payorpayor A person who pays money to another person. For example, a person who pays child support to the other parent. or recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. lives outside Alberta. Either the payorpayor A person who pays money to another person. For example, a person who pays child support to the other parent. or recipientrecipient A person who receives money from another person. For example, a person who receives child support from the other parent. can register with MEPMEP A free government service that collects court-ordered child support and spousal/partner support payments from the payor and distributes them to the recipient. MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program.. Contact MEP to learn more.