Domestic Relations in Northampton and Lehigh County: Filing, Conferences, Payments and Enforcement

Scope: Pennsylvania law and procedure, with Northampton and Lehigh County practice notes. This guide explains how each county's Domestic Relations Section (DRS) handles child support, spousal support and alimony pendente lite (APL): opening a case, the conference, payments, reporting changes, enforcement, changing an order and cases with a parent in another state. How support is calculated is covered on our child-support page. What happens after a conference ends without agreement, including the 20-day deadlines, is covered in our support-conference guide. Official sources were checked on October 26, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice about a particular case.

The short version

• Domestic Relations is part of the court. Each county's Domestic Relations Section is an office of the Court of Common Pleas that processes support complaints, runs conferences, oversees collection and payment through the state's collection unit, and enforces orders.
• A case starts with a complaint, and there is no filing fee. Filing an online request through the state's child support website is not the same as filing the complaint, and support generally runs from the date the complaint is filed.
• Most cases go to a conference first. A conference officer reviews both parties' income and applies the statewide guidelines. Bring every record the notice asks for.
• Payments run through the State Collection and Disbursement Unit (PA SCDU), usually by income withholding from the paying party's wages.
• Report changes within seven days. Each party must notify Domestic Relations, the Department of Human Services and the other party, in writing or in person, of a material change, such as a new job or a new address.
• Unpaid support has consequences: credit reporting, liens, bank-account seizures, license suspension and contempt, which can mean up to six months in jail. In child support cases, tax-refund and lottery intercepts and passport denial can follow too.
• Changes take a petition. Neither party can change an order on their own. Changes come through the court and Domestic Relations, and usually reach back only to the date the petition was filed.
• Support and custody are separate. Domestic Relations does not handle custody, and support is still owed even if a custody or visitation dispute is unresolved.

What Domestic Relations does

Pennsylvania law gives each county's Domestic Relations Section the power and duty to process support complaints, make investigations, "[c]ollect and pay over to the persons entitled thereto moneys received pursuant to support proceedings," keep the records of every support case, and bring defaults to the court's attention. 23 Pa.C.S. § 4305(a). It is also the filing office for child support, spousal support and APL actions. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.4(a). It can act without a prior court order in some matters, for example by ordering genetic testing, issuing subpoenas for income information and ordering income withholding. § 4305(b).

• Who can ask for support. Married persons are liable for each other's support, and parents for their children's. 23 Pa.C.S. § 4321. "Any person caring for a child shall have standing to commence or continue an action for support of that child regardless of whether a court order has been issued granting that person custody of the child." § 4341(b).
• What it does not do. Northampton County's DRS says it "does not deal with custody or visitation issues," and Lehigh County's says child support and custody "are completely separate issues." For custody, see our child custody page.
• No legal advice. Lehigh County's page puts it plainly: "As judicial employees, DRS staff are prohibited from providing legal advice."

Opening a case

Pennsylvania rule. "A party shall commence actions for child support and spousal support by filing a complaint in the domestic relations section," and "[t]he domestic relations section shall not require payment of a filing fee to commence or modify an action." Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.4(b)–(c). An APL claim is also filed with the DRS, but only "if a divorce complaint has been filed with the prothonotary." Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.4(b).

An online request is not yet a filing. The state's online application forwards a request to the county DRS, and the state says: "Submitting an online request does not constitute a filing with your county court." It adds: "Documents are not officially filed until they are reviewed and accepted by the DRS." Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Apply for Child Support Services. That matters because a support order generally takes effect from the date the complaint is filed. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.17(a). Lehigh County says it directly: "The effective date of the support order is the date the complaint for support is filed, not the date of the application."

How each county takes a complaint (county procedure, checked October 26, 2026):

• Northampton County. The county's FAQ describes filing in person: "By appearing at the DRS and filing a complaint in the Intake Section." No appointment is needed "unless you are filing to another state." The county asks filers to bring photo identification, Social Security numbers for the parties and children, the other party's address and both parties' employers if known, medical insurance cards, a marriage license, divorce decree or current Protection From Abuse order, any existing support order with certified arrears records, all sources of income for both parties, the children's birth certificates and any paternity acknowledgment.
• Lehigh County. Start online or in person. After an online application, "the plaintiff will be contacted to sign and file a complaint for support." In-person complaints are taken "between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday," with an intake interview "on a first come, first serve basis," taking about an hour.

Other points at filing.

• Paternity. Lehigh County says that if paternity is not legally established, "it must be resolved before a support conference can begin," and the DRS can order genetic testing. § 4305(b)(1).
• Safety. If you have a protection order or fear for your safety, tell the DRS. The law bars it from releasing a party's or child's whereabouts to someone a protective order is against, or where it has reason to believe release may cause physical or emotional harm, and a court can order that an address not be disclosed in support filings. 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 4305(a)(10), 4352(g.1).
• Arbitration awards. Since April 1, 2026, a party asking Domestic Relations to collect or enforce a confirmed family-law arbitration award for support must file a support complaint at the same time, if one was not filed before. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.4(e).
• Signatures. Since January 1, 2026, a signature on a family-court filing can be handwritten, a copy of a handwritten signature, computer-generated or electronic. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1930.11.

The support conference

Pennsylvania procedure. Most support cases begin with an office conference before a conference officer. If the parties agree, an agreed order is entered. If they do not, Northampton County follows the Rule 1910.11 track (an interim order, then a de novo hearing on a timely written demand) and Lehigh County the Rule 1910.12 track (an interim order and a record hearing before an attorney hearing officer). Our support-conference guide explains both tracks and their 20-day deadlines.

What to bring. Bring the records the conference notice lists, and bring them complete.

• Northampton County asks parties to "be prepared with full and complete financial information as directed in the Order of Court for Mandatory Conference," and requires "strict and full compliance with appointments, court appearances, and information requests."
• Lehigh County lists six months of pay stubs, the most recent tax return or W-2s, proof of other income or assets, a completed income and expense report, child-care costs, health-insurance proof and premium costs, and medical proof of any claimed inability to work. It warns that "[t]he conference officer may disregard any argument or contested expense not supported by written documentation" and that "[d]ocumentation may not be submitted after the support conference has ended." The full list is in our Lehigh County family-court guide.

Attendance and conduct.

• Attend. Northampton County's rule sheets say, "You MUST attend all conferences." If the plaintiff does not attend, the case may be closed or the court may decide it on the facts of record; if the defendant does not attend, "the Court will make further disposition based on the facts of record or may issue a bench warrant."
• Be on time. In Lehigh County, a party who "arrives 15 minutes or more past the scheduled conference or hearing time is considered late," which "may result in the entry of a support order in their absence or dismissal of the complaint for support."
• Telephone participation. Lehigh County permits telephone participation only upon an approved application filed at least seven days before the scheduled proceeding. A request must be based on travel distance, a documented medical restriction or another extenuating circumstance; approval is discretionary. A separate application is required for each conference or hearing. Northampton County's pages describe the conference as held at the DRS office.
• Who attends. Northampton County admits only the parties and their attorneys: "No third parties, including current spouses will be allowed to attend." Lehigh County does not permit children at conferences or hearings and prohibits recording.
• Paperwork quality. Lehigh County does not accept photos of documents taken with a phone: "Submitted documents must be clear, high-quality scans."

How payments work

PA SCDU. Pennsylvania collects and pays out support through the State Collection and Disbursement Unit. Both counties direct payments there, and Lehigh County explains that the employer "deducts support payments and sends them to the Pennsylvania State Collection and Disbursement Unit (PA SCDU) in Harrisburg, PA."

Income withholding is the default. Support orders provide for attachment of the paying party's income unless the payer is not behind by a month's support and either the court finds good cause not to require immediate withholding or the parties agree in writing to another arrangement. 23 Pa.C.S. § 4348(b).

• The employer must start withholding within 14 days after notice and send each payment within seven business days after payday. § 4348(i)(2)–(3).
• An employer may not refuse to hire, fire, discipline or demote an employee because of an attachment. § 4348(l)(1).
• Withholding is capped by the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act. § 4348(g).
• A payer who disputes the withholding may object in writing or in person at the DRS within ten days after the notice is issued. The grounds are limited to mistakes of fact: no overdue support or a wrong amount, mistaken identity, or withholding above the federal limit. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.21(e); § 4348(e).
• Until withholding starts, the payer must pay. Northampton County tells defendants, "It is your responsibility to make payments pending receipt of monies through a wage attachment."

Paying another way. Payments by check or money order go to PA SCDU, P.O. Box 69110, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9110, payable to "PA SCDU," with the payer's PACSES member ID number. The state also offers electronic and retail-cash options, and Lehigh County has a payment kiosk at its office; vendor fees and posting times vary. Use the Pennsylvania child support payment page for current options.

Do not pay the other parent directly. Northampton County warns payers, "No credit will be given for direct payments unless specifically authorized by the Court," and warns recipients that accepting direct payments "is justification for the Court to suspend the support order." One exception covers the time before the first order: Northampton says, "Your account will be credited upon submission of proof of any direct payments made following the filing of the petition, but before the order is entered." Keep proof of any such payment.

Receiving support. Payments reach the receiving party by direct deposit or on a state child support debit card, the Way2Go Card. Northampton County says a payment received at PA SCDU "is issued promptly to the payee, usually within 48 hours," and tells recipients they cannot collect support at its office.

Reporting changes

Pennsylvania law. A party to a support case must notify Domestic Relations, the Department of Human Services and the other parties "in writing or by personal appearance within seven days of any material change in circumstances relevant to the level of support or the administration of the support order," including a change of employment and a change of address of the party or of any child receiving support. Willful failure can be punished as contempt. 23 Pa.C.S. § 4353(a)–(b).

• Northampton County takes address changes in writing sent to its office at 126 S. Union St., by fax or through the state's online portal, and its older form says changes are not taken over the telephone. Its rule sheets add income, employment, custody, child-care costs, graduation, emancipation, divorce and remarriage to the changes to report, and ask parties to list their member ID and case ID numbers.
• Lehigh County posts a change-of-address-and-employer form on its DRS page and asks parties to contact it about any change in health-insurance coverage.

Why it matters. Notices, orders and deadlines go to the address on file. In a later child support enforcement action, the court or the Department of Human Services may treat notice delivered to the last residential or employer address on file as valid after a diligent search. § 4353(a.1). A missed notice can also start a 20-day clock you never see; our support-conference guide explains those deadlines.

When support is not paid

Overdue support is a judgment by operation of law on and after the date each payment is due, and overdue support on record at the DRS is a lien on the payer's real property in Pennsylvania. 23 Pa.C.S. § 4352(d); Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.22(a). Domestic Relations monitors payments and can use these tools, some automatically. Some apply only in child support cases, as marked:

Contempt. A party who willfully fails to comply with a support order may be held in contempt, punishable by any one or more of "[i]mprisonment for a period not to exceed six months," "[a] fine not to exceed $1,000" and "[p]robation for a period not to exceed one year," and a jail order must state the condition for release. 23 Pa.C.S. § 4345. Jail requires an evidentiary hearing before a judge and a finding on the record about whether the payer can presently pay. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.25-5. Before ordering jail with a monetary purge condition, the court must find beyond a reasonable doubt that the payer can presently satisfy that condition. The prospect of earning money later through work release does not substitute for that present ability. See Commonwealth v. Zehr, 2026 PA Super 218. Lehigh County schedules a contempt conference on a contempt petition and says that if the payer is jailed, "the court will specify a purge condition, normally a payment toward the back support." A payer who misses a contempt proceeding can face a bench warrant. In practice, both counties do jail payers for nonpayment, often with work release.

More consequences.

• A court that finds a willful arrearage of 30 days or more may add a penalty of up to 10% of the amount in arrears. § 4348(c).
• A court that finds no good cause for late child support may order the payer to cover the other party's costs and reasonable attorney fees of enforcement. § 4351(b).
• Willfully failing to pay a support order when able to pay is also a separate offense, ordinarily a summary offense. § 4354.

If you are the one owed support and payments stop, contact the DRS handling your case and keep your own record of what was received. If you are the one paying and cannot keep up, file a petition to modify (next section) rather than paying less on your own.

Changing an order

Pennsylvania law. "A petition for modification of a support order may be filed at any time and shall be granted if the requesting party demonstrates a substantial change in circumstances." 23 Pa.C.S. § 4352(a). The petition goes through the same conference and hearing steps as a new case. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.19.

• File promptly. As a general rule, a court cannot change support already due for periods before a petition to modify was filed. That cuts both ways: waiting to request an increase or a decrease can leave earlier months unchanged. A change may reach back earlier if a significant physical or mental disability, another party's misrepresentation or another compelling reason prevented filing, and the petition was filed promptly afterward. Section 4352(e) also provides that arrears do not accrue after the supported child's emancipation. Separate, limited procedures allow a court, after notice, to modify or terminate an unenforceable order or an order the payer has no foreseeable ability to pay, and to remit arrears without prejudice. These exceptions require attention to the facts and the governing procedure. 23 Pa.C.S. § 4352(e); Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.17(a), 1910.19(f).
• Keep paying until the order changes. Underpaying on your own builds arrears at the existing amount.
• Incarceration. Since January 1, 2026, the support guidelines treat a substantial, continuing loss of income from incarceration as an involuntary decrease that must be taken into account for an existing order. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.16-2(d)(2)(i). The statute also makes incarceration, other than for nonpayment of support, a material and substantial change when the payer lacks income or assets to collect from. § 4352(a.2). Jail for nonpayment is often served on work release, so it may not reduce the payer's income at all. A modification generally reaches back only to the filing date, subject to limited exceptions, so a petition should be filed promptly.
• Three-year review (child support). Either parent can ask for a review at least once every three years, and the order is then adjusted under the guidelines, or by a cost-of-living adjustment, without proof of a change in circumstances. The review is automatic when support has been assigned to the state because of cash assistance. § 4352(a.1). Northampton's rule sheets say an order "will be reviewed every 3 years if such a review is requested by one of the parties in writing," and Lehigh County says the parties are sent notice of that right every three years.
• When child support ends. Lehigh County explains that "child support ends when the child emancipates (turns 18-years old or graduates from high school, whichever occurs last)," and that "[i]f back support is owed at the time of emancipation, it will continue to be collected." Before a child turns 18, the DRS sends the receiving party an emancipation inquiry and, if no reason to continue support is shown and no other children are covered, ends the charging order without further proceedings; arrears are not affected. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.19(e). Parents may be liable for a child 18 or older in some cases. § 4321(3).
• How to file. Lehigh County takes a petition for modification "in person, or online," and Northampton County charges no fee to modify.
• The 2026 guidelines. The statewide guidelines changed on January 1, 2026; our child-support page explains when that can support a modification.

When a parent lives in another state

Pennsylvania's version of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) governs cases that cross state lines. 23 Pa.C.S. Part VIII (Chapters 71–79).

• Starting a case against an out-of-state parent. File with your county DRS. Lehigh County evaluates at intake "if it will be filed locally or through UIFSA"; Northampton County asks for an appointment when you are "filing to another state."
• A Pennsylvania child support order, after someone moves. If it is the controlling order, a Pennsylvania court that issued a child support order keeps continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify it as long as the payer, the person receiving support or the child lives in Pennsylvania when a change is requested. The parties can agree in a record to let another state take over, or to keep the case here after everyone has moved. § 7205(a)–(b). The order can be sent to the other state for enforcement. § 7206.
• Spousal support orders follow a different rule. The state that issued a spousal support order keeps the power to modify it for as long as the obligation lasts, and a Pennsylvania court may not modify another state's spousal support order. § 7211.
• Another state's order. It can be registered here and enforced like a Pennsylvania order, but a Pennsylvania court may modify it only in limited circumstances. §§ 7601, 7603, 7611, 7613.
• Employers. An income-withholding order from another state can be sent directly to a Pennsylvania employer without first registering it. § 7501.
• Moving does not move the case. The state program notes that a case "does not automatically move with you" to another county or state.

Northampton and Lehigh at a glance

County procedure, checked October 26, 2026. Confirm hours and instructions with the office before you go.

Our Northampton County and Lehigh County family-court guides cover each county's custody, divorce and support tracks, and our Northampton County court-forms page collects the county's Domestic Relations forms.

What to bring to a consultation

• Every notice, order and envelope from Domestic Relations, with the dates you received them.
• Recent pay stubs, the last tax return with schedules, and proof of any other income.
• Child-care, health-insurance and unreimbursed medical costs.
• The custody order or schedule, if there is one.
• A payment history or account statement, and proof of any payments made outside PA SCDU.
• For an out-of-state case, the other state's order and case number.