What evidence does a support recipient need to bring to a default hearing?

At a default hearing, the recipient benefits from being able to show the court a clear, organized picture of what is owed and what has actually been paid. This generally means bringing the support order or agreement itself, a record of payments received against what was required, and any communication with the payor or the Family Responsibility Office about the arrears, including notices FRO has sent and any responses from the payor. A clear running total of the arrears, ideally consistent with FRO's own records, helps the court quickly understand the scope of the problem.

It's also useful to bring any evidence bearing on the payor's ability to pay, if known, such as information about their employment or income changes, since the court will be assessing whether the payor's explanation for the default holds up. Because default hearings are formal court proceedings and the outcome can include a repayment schedule or further enforcement measures, a recipient who isn't sure what documentation will be most persuasive, or how to present it, should get advice from a lawyer beforehand rather than walking in with an incomplete picture of the arrears.