The mission of the Domestic Relations Section is to improve the well-being of children, promote the self-sufficiency of families, and deliver quality child & spousal support services, with recognition that to grow and thrive chiildren require the financial, medical, and emotional support of both parents, regardless of their living situation or relationship. The department performs it's duties in accordance with federal, state and local regulations, statutes and Rules of Civil Procedure to assure that each client is treated fairly and equitably.
Services
Assist in the initiation/opening of new cases involving paternity establishment and child and/or spousal support
Establish paternity for children born out of wedlock
Establish child support, spousal support and/or alimony pendente lite orders
Enforce those orders along with alimony awards that require payments to be made through this department
Collect and disburse support payment in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Statewide Disbursement and Collection Unit
Attempt to locate absent parents
Wilkes-Barre Office
Case Fees
To open a new case walk into the Wilkes Barre office Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. A state mandated filing fee of $40.25 is added as part of the Court Order which is collected by the county but is forwarded to the State. Photo identification is needed anytime someone appears in the building. Checks, money orders, debit/credit cards or cash can be used for any fee..
Parking
Parking for our Wilkes Barre office is in the parkade on Water Street in the rear of the building. Parking for our Hazleton office is in the rear of the building.
