Welcome to the Domestic Relations Office
Welcome to the Domestic Relations Office
Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve the public by providing child support services as authorized by law. We will establish, modify and enforce orders of support and provide support collection services for children and families in an effective and efficient manner, making prudent use of public resources. We will perform our duties with honor and professionalism, and treat our clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
General Department Information
About Us
The Domestic Relations Section (DRS) is a part of the Family Court. The Family Court is a division of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. The Family Court is a part of the Court system which helps resolve problems such as divorce, child and spousal support, temporary and permanent alimony, division of marital property, custody of children, and protection from abuse. The Domestic Relations Section is mainly responsible for working with families to establish and collect support for children and spouses.
The Domestic Relations Section is made up of Judges, Managers, Hearing Officers, Establishment and Compliance Officers, an Attorney, and various technical and clerical staff. The staff of the Domestic Relations Section is assisted by a large computer system which is used to track cases, keep financial records, and help in the enforcement of support orders. The staff in the Domestic Relations Section is trained to help people make the best decisions possible about support and related issues.
When the parties involved in a case are unable to agree on a support order, the Domestic Relations Section staff will recommend the amount of support to be paid and other provisions such as medical insurance coverage to the parties and to the Court. These recommendations are based on state and federal laws and the experience of the Domestic Relations Section staff.
Announcements
Important Information Regarding Payments
Credit/Debit cards are accepted at the kiosk located in the DRS Lobby, 6th Floor, County Services Center and online. Click on our Support Payment Options link below for more information.
NEW Information Regarding Medical Bills
Parties seeking medical expense reimbursement must first meet the CRITERIA TO SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES as explained on the Medical Pamphlet located under “Information Pamphlets.” Once this criteria has been met, parties may seek assistance from the DRS but no later than May 31st of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the final bill was received.
Purge Payments
Purge Payments must be made in CASH ONLY and are accepted in-person in the Docketing Office Monday through Friday, excluding Holidays, between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:30PM.
Unable to Appear in Person?
Parties or Counsel that are unable to appear in person for a Conference or Hearing may complete and submit a telephone application.
Filing for Support?
In-Person in the DRS available 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
A client MUST be ready to be seen by 3:30PM, due to the amount of time needed to do required research, interview the client, create the case and have a Complaint for Support signed.
Domestic Relations Units
A client appearing in our office to file a Complaint for Support must first check in at the Front Desk.
The locate unit at the Berks County Domestic Relations is responsible for maintaining and updating critical information for our clients.
Each time a party files a new complaint, or a request to modify an existing support order, a support conference is held.
The mission of the Compliance Unit is to assist families in the enforcement and collection of their support obligations in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
The Intergovernmental Unit encompasses a combination of both the Establishment and the Compliance Units.
Federal and state laws require that every support case include medical support. Medical support is health insurance coverage and unreimbursed medical expenses.
The mission of the Docketing Division is to maintain the official court records in order to provide timely disposition of support documents to clients, law and judicial communities, and Domestic Relations Section staff.
We will establish, modify and enforce orders of support and provide support collection services for children and families in an effective and efficient manner, making prudent use of public resources and more....