A child support case is a legal proceeding brought on behalf  of the child against a legally established non-custodial parent. It establishes the non-custodial parent's legal obligation to pay support for his/her child.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles or other relatives that have a child residing with them can be assisted. 

A  person legally  is established  as a parent by one of 3 ways:

	A child being born, or conceived, during a marriage legally makes the husband and wife  the parents of the child.
	Unmarried parents sign an affidavit of parentage, or
	A Judgment of Filiation is granted by a Judge.

You must contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) Support Specialist.  Their number is: (866) 661-0005 ext. 7187. The specialist will then send a referral to the Family Support Division of the Prosecutor's Office. If you are currently receiving any type of public assistance then you are required to cooperate or you may lose some or all of your benefits.  However, the receipt of public assistance benefits IS NOT a requirement  to be eligible for legal help on these matters.

The Family Support Division will contact you to set  up an interview. At the interview, you will review and sign legal  paperwork.  These documents are  filed with the Family Court, where a case number and Judge will be assigned. Then the Defendant must be served with the paperwork. There are several ways the Defendant can be served:

	They can come into the office and pick up the papers.
	The papers can be sent by certified, restricted mail. (Only he/she can sign for them).
	A Process Server can hand deliver the papers to him/her.

How is the case completed?