Fees for Services
The following list of services and associated fees shows what a parent may be charged when Child Support Services offers legal assistance. Fees are assessed based on who requests the service, case situations, applicable laws, or court orders. Payment plans are available. Payments are made toward fees only after current support obligations have been met for a month.| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $25 |
| Establish an order for paternity and/or child support | |
| Defaults | $270 |
| Stipulates before trial | $450 |
| If order goes to trial | $525 |
| Temporary support order (until a final order is issued) | $210 |
| Change an existing order | |
| Defaults | $270 |
| Stipulates before trial | $450 |
| If order goes to trial | $525 |
| Filing a complaint if the alleged father is excluded by genetic testing | $240 |
| Contempt action for non-payment of child support | |
| If contempt order is dismissed | $120 |
| If contempt order defaults | $270 |
| If contempt order stipulates before trial | $450 |
| If contempt order goes to trial | $525 |
| If follow-up is required for each court action taken in each instance | $120 |
| Interventions (required when Child Support Services becomes party to legal actions) | $135 |
| Hourly rate for legal services not listed | |
| Attorney costs per hour | $100 |
| Paralegal costs per hour | $50 |
| Genetic testing (cost per person) | $32.50 |
| Federal tax offset fee | $25 |
| Annual federal receipting fee (BDRA) | $25 |
The $25 Budget Deficit Reduction Act (BDRA) fee is assessed annually to a parent obligated to pay support when Child Support Services processes more than $500 in payments for a case. This fee is due each federal fiscal year, meaning that the year is counted beginning in October instead of January. Parents who have a MyChildSupport account or who provided Child Support Services an email address receive an email when this fee is assessed on a case. Other parents receive a letter with the same instructions on how to pay this fee.