How do I find out how much support arrears I owe in Manitoba?
This answer covers the law of Manitoba.
Contact the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) and ask for your file balance, which you can do by phone at 204-945-7133 or toll-free at 1-866-479-2717. You can also email ManitobaMEPInquiries@gov.mb.ca with your full name and file number, and MEP aims to reply within 3 business days. In-person service was listed as currently unavailable.
MEP receives and monitors payments and acts on arrears, so its records are a starting point. Compare them with your own bank records or receipts. How arrears and any interest are calculated depends on the order or agreement and is worth asking MEP to explain. MEP will not give you the other party's personal information or a full copy of a file, and it cannot change the payment terms of an order.
If the figures look wrong, tell MEP what you believe is missing and point to your records. If the problem is the amount ordered, not the balance, cancelling arrears or lowering payments needs a variation application to a judge, with notice to the recipient. If you are not enrolled in MEP, consult a lawyer about private enforcement, which is more limited.
Key takeaways
- You can ask the Maintenance Enforcement Program for your file balance by phone, or by email with your full name and file number.
- MEP receives and monitors payments and acts on arrears, but it cannot change an order's payment terms.
- Cancelling arrears or reducing payments needs a variation application to a judge, with notice to the recipient.
- If you are not in MEP, a lawyer can explain private enforcement, which is more limited.