Getting Help with Child Support

• How can the Department of Revenue help me get child support?
• How can I get help at the Probate and Family Court?
• Is it important to have an attorney when I go to the Probate and Family Court?
• How can I get legal assistance and other help?

How can the Department of Revenue help me get child support?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue has a Child Support Enforcement Division that can help you get child support. The DOR can bring actions in court to get child support orders. It has a parent locator service to find absent parents so that they can be ordered to pay child support. It is able to get information about the income and place of employment of the other parent. It is also able to find out where the other parent lives. It can intercept tax refunds for child support. You can call their toll-free number 1-800-332-2733 for information about their services.

The DOR has child support enforcement division staff on duty at each Probate & Family Court.

You can get DOR child support services by filling out a DOR application form which is available at the Probate & Family Court or by calling the toll free number.

How can I get help at the Probate and Family Court?

The Probate and Family Courts have a volunteer lawyer program called the "Lawyer of the Day." The Lawyer of the Day helps low-income people who don't have lawyers fill out basic court forms.

Is it important to have an attorney when I go to the Probate and Family Court?

Yes. Family law, including child support law, is complicated. Also, it is sometimes very hard to handle your case on your own when domestic violence is involved. Although you are not required to have an attorney if you go to the Probate and Family Court, it is very important to try to get legal help.

If you go to the Probate and Family Court, try to get legal help.

How can I get legal assistance and other help?