MEP – How it works

Important to know

MEP does not provide legal representation or advice to clients.

Either the payor or recipient of support can register for MEP. If you live outside of Alberta:

• register with the enforcement program in your jurisdiction, or 
• call us for more information

MEP can only enforce a:

• Maintenance Order, or
• Maintenance Agreement already filed with the court

To change the amount payable:

• contact a lawyer, or
• contact Court and Justice Services for help on how to file a court application

To keep child support levels in line with income, consider the Child Support Recalculation Program to adjust your court order on an ongoing basis. Recalculations are timed around the anniversary date of your court order, based on your most recent tax return.

Recipient of support

The recipient of support – or creditor – is the person who receives child, spousal or partner support payments. As the recipient of support, you must do all of these:

• get a court order
• send us any information that can help us get payments from the payor of support
• respond to any changes in the court order that the payor of support applies for
• inform us of any changes to your name, address, phone number or banking information that affects direct deposit
• inform us of any changes in the child’s status (for example: residence, education)
• inform us of any payments you receive directly from the payor of support

Payor of support

The payor of support – or debtor – is the person who pays child, spousal or partner support. As the payor of support, you must do all of these:

• make all payments to MEP on time according to the court order
• inform us of any anticipated payment problems such as late payments
• inform us of any changes to your address, phone number, employment or banking information
• inform us of any changes in the child’s status (for example: residence, education)

Payment authorization forms

Payors can pick when payments are made by filling out one of these forms:

• Authorized Bank Withdrawal form, or
• Payor Voluntary Pay Deduction form

Resources

• Family Law Act
• Income and Employment Supports Act
• Interjurisdictional Support Orders (ISO) Act
• Maintenance Enforcement Act and Regulation
• MEP 2013 Client Survey Results
• MEP Forms and guides

Contact

Connect with the Maintenance Enforcement Program.