Imagine a single parent, doing everything they can to provide for their child by paying rent, buying groceries, and covering school fees, all while trying to build a stable future. They depend on court-ordered support payments to help make ends meet. But when those payments stop coming, what happens?

That’s where the Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) steps in. This government program acts as a safety net for families who rely on support that’s been legally promised but not delivered. MEP works to ensure those support obligations are made, using enforcement tools when necessary, so families aren’t left struggling.

But life isn’t always predictable, and sometimes the payor faces real financial hardship, too. If someone truly can’t afford their child support payments, MEP offers options. They can apply for a stay of enforcement, giving them time to work things out without the stress of aggressive collection measures. Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t punishment, it’s fairness and ensuring families get the support they need.

The Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program

The Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) is a government service that ensures court-ordered child support payments, spousal support, and partner support payments are made. It acts as a bridge between the person who is supposed to receive support (the recipient) and the person responsible for paying (the payor). If payments are missed, MEP steps in to collect the money using various enforcement tools, such as wage garnishment, bank account seizures, and even suspending licenses if necessary.

Not all people who pay child support have to be registered through MEP, though. Registration with the Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) is optional unless a court orders support enforcement through MEP. If both parents have an informal arrangement and child support payments are being made regularly between the parents, they do not need to involve MEP.

If a recipient starts experiencing missed or late payments, they can register with the MEP at any time, as long as they have a court order or a registered maintenance agreement. Once MEP is involved, the payor must make payments through them.

How Does it Work

The Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) ensures that court-ordered child and spousal support payments are made. Once registered, MEP manages the payments, collects money from the payor, and transfers it to the recipient. If payments stop, MEP has enforcement tools to step in and recover the owed support. This is how it works.

Registration

Registration is the first step in the process. The recipient, the person owed support, must register with MEP by submitting a valid court order or a registered maintenance agreement. Once the recipient is enrolled, the payor, the person responsible for making the payments, must direct all payments through MEP.

When a recipient registers with the Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP), the payor is officially notified that they must begin making payments through the program. MEP sends the payor a Welcome Package by mail, which includes important details about their partner support or child support obligations. This package contains a Registration Confirmation Letter, outlining the court-ordered support amount, due date for payments, and the methods available for making payments.

If the payor has previously been making payments directly to the recipient, they are informed that all future payments must go through MEP. Any payments made outside of MEP after registration may not count toward their legal obligation unless maintenance payments are properly documented.

If the payor moves or does not respond to MEP’s initial contact, the program will take steps to locate them. This may include checking government records, employer information, or financial institutions. Once notified, the payor is expected to make payments as outlined in the court order, ensuring that the recipient receives the support they are entitled to.

Payment Collection

Payment collection is handled by MEP, ensuring that funds move securely from the payor to the recipient. Payors can make payments through various methods, including online banking, payroll deductions, credit card payments, or direct deposit. If the payor submits payments on time, MEP acts as a neutral middleman, simply processing and forwarding the funds without further intervention. When a payment is received from the payor, MEP typically transfers the money to the recipient within 48 hours, provided the funds have cleared.

The MEP does not charge to process payments as long as they are made on time. However, if payments are late or missed, MEP can charge late penalties and default fees. These fees vary depending on the enforcement action required.

Enforcement

Enforcement comes into play when payments are missed. If a payor does not meet their obligations, MEP has several legal tools to collect outstanding payments, such as:

• Garnishing wages (up to 50% of net wages), bank accounts (up to 100% of balances), or tax refunds
• Suspending driver’s licenses or passports
• Seizing property or assets
• Reporting arrears to credit agencies
• Taking legal action, including court hearings that may lead to jail time for non-compliance

However, if a payor genuinely cannot afford their payments due to their financial circumstances, they can apply for a stay of enforcement. This court application temporarily pauses or adjusts enforcement actions. MEP may also work with the payor to create a payment arrangement that allows them to catch up on overdue amounts in a manageable way.

Stay of Enforcement

A Stay of Enforcement is a temporary pause or adjustment on enforcement actions taken by the Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP). It gives the payor (the person responsible for child or spousal support payments) time to resolve financial difficulties without facing immediate wage garnishment, bank seizures, or other collection measures.

To be granted a Stay, payors must fill out MEP’s Stay of Enforcement Request Form (available through MEP). This form requires: Personal details (name, MEP file number), a description of valid reasons for the financial hardship (job loss, medical condition, unexpected expenses), and a proposal for alternative payments (e.g., reduced payments, payment plan).

MEP requires proof of financial hardship, with financial statements such as recent pay stubs or proof of unemployment, tax returns, income statements, bank statements showing available funds, expense breakdown, including rent/mortgage, utilities, and basic living costs.

MEP will then assess the request based on the payor’s ability to pay support and the recipient’s need for support. If approved, enforcement actions (such as wage garnishment, bank account seizure, or license suspension) are paused for a set period. If denied, the payor must either continue payments or apply for a stay through the courts through the Alberta Court of King’s Bench. This includes presenting your case before a judge.

It’s important to note that Stays are only temporary and do not erase the debt owed or any support obligations. Any missed payments will continue to accrue, and interest may still be charged on overdue amounts during the stay. To avoid aggressive enforcement measures such as wage garnishment or license suspension, it is best to apply for a stay as soon as financial difficulties arise.

Navigating Alberta Family Law

Navigating the Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) can be complex, whether you’re trying to enforce a support order, apply for a Stay of Enforcement, or update your support obligations. Without legal services and guidance, individuals risk misfiling applications, missing deadlines, or facing enforcement actions that could have been prevented. A family law lawyer can assist in preparing a strong stay application, gathering financial evidence, and, if needed, advocating for fair payment terms in court.

At DLegal Law Office, our family law and spousal support, and child support lawyers provide expert legal advice to help you navigate MEP proceedings smoothly. Get in touch today to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome for your family.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be considered legal or other professional advice. To get detailed information regarding your specific circumstances, please discuss your situation with a lawyer or other professional. Refer to our Terms of Use for more details.