1.Why can’t Alberta enforce my order/agreement?
2. How do I get my order enforced by the debtor’s jurisdiction?
3. How long will it take for enforcement action to begin?
4. What enforcement actions can Alberta MEP place?
5. What is Alberta MEP’s role?
6. What enforcement actions can the debtor’s jurisdiction place?
7. Can I receive direct payments from the debtor or from the debtor’s jurisdiction?
8. How long will it take to get my payments once the debtor’s jurisdiction receives them?
9. How will I receive my payments?
10. At what age will the debtor’s jurisdiction stop enforcing child maintenance?
11. Whom do I contact for updates on my file?
12. How can I have my order varied?

1. Why can’t Alberta enforce my order/agreement?
   Alberta cannot apply its laws outside of the province of Alberta. If the debtor lives in another province, territory or country, the Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) is very limited in what it can do to collect support from that debtor.
   
   Fortunately, many jurisdictions cooperate with one another in enforcing maintenance orders. Many of these jurisdictions enforce Alberta’s maintenance orders through the Interjurisdictional Support Orders (ISO) Act. Under the ISO Act, the jurisdiction where the debtor lives is responsible for the enforcement of the maintenance court order or agreement. The enforcing jurisdiction will keep Alberta MEP informed of all developments on the file.
   
   
2. How do I get my order enforced by the debtor’s jurisdiction?
   You must still register your file with Alberta MEP and we will then send your file to the debtor’s jurisdiction for enforcement. Most programs in Canada will have your file registered within 60 days.
   
   
3. How long will it take for enforcement action to begin?
   Canadian programs vary in the amount of time it will take to start enforcement action on your file. Enforcement on accounts in arrears may occur immediately upon registration of your file or can take up to 75 days after registration. Information can be found on other jurisdictions’ websites or contact Alberta MEP for further inquiries.
   
   
4. What enforcement actions can Alberta MEP place?
   Alberta MEP is limited in the enforcement actions that can be placed and that will be effective in collecting from the debtor. For example, Alberta MEP can restrict motor vehicle services only if the debtor has a valid Alberta driver’s licence. However, this may not affect the debtor if the debtor has a driver’s licence in the jurisdiction in which he/she resides.
   
   Alberta MEP will place a federal support deduction notice (garnishee) on the file before it is sent to the debtor’s jurisdiction to catch any federal money owed to the debtor that may be put towards arrears on the account. Once the file is registered with the debtor’s jurisdiction, Alberta MEP will remove its enforcement actions. This is because the jurisdiction where the debtor resides has now become the enforcing jurisdiction.
   
   
5. What is Alberta MEP’s role?
   The role of Alberta MEP in this case is to provide accounting and communication services between the reciprocating jurisdiction and you. Any monies collected by other programs are routed through the Alberta MEP and forwarded to you to make sure payments clear.
   
   
6. What enforcement actions can the debtor’s jurisdiction place?
   Each jurisdiction has its own legislation and policies for enforcement purposes. Refer to the program’s website for the jurisdiction where the debtor resides for more information on their collection practices.
   
   
7. Can I receive direct payments from the debtor or from the debtor’s jurisdiction?
   Once the order has been registered with Alberta MEP, you should not request or accept any payments directly from the debtor. If this does happen, you MUST INFORM MEP IMMEDIATELY, so that an accurate, up-to-date record of all payments can be maintained. MEP regulations require that direct payments must be reported by creditors within seven days through MEP Accounts Online or through the MEP Info Line at 780-422-5555 and by following the voice prompts. Failure to report any direct payment as required will result in a $50 deterrent penalty charged to the creditor.
   
   Accepting direct payments consistently may result in the inability of the other jurisdiction’s MEP to take collection action or the closure of your file.
   
   
8. How long will it take to get my payments once the debtor’s jurisdiction receives them?
   It can take up to 14 days for other jurisdictions to process payments received from debtors, depending on the type of payment. Alberta MEP may receive the cleared payment from the debtor’s jurisdiction, which is applied to your MEP account and will show on the Creditor’s Statement of Account the following day. If the debtor’s jurisdiction does not clear the payment before sending it to our program, it may take up to 7 days to clear before it is applied to your account. The payment will still need to be processed by your bank, which may take 24-48 hours.
   
   
9. How will I receive my payments?
   MEP issues payments by depositing the funds directly into the creditor’s bank account. In order to ensure that funds are deposited correctly, it is the creditor's responsibility to advise MEP of any changes to banking arrangements that may affect the direct deposit of support funds (e.g. a new account number, closing and re-opening the account at a different branch or bank). Delayed or absent payments can result from a failure to report any changes in financial information to MEP.
   
   Creditors cannot receive direct deposit payments from the debtor’s jurisdiction, as all funds must be routed through Alberta MEP.
   
   Creditors may download a direct deposit form here.
   
   
10. At what age will the debtor’s jurisdiction stop enforcing child maintenance?
    Enforcing child maintenance will depend on the terms of the order or agreement, where the order or agreement was granted and under which legislation. If an order gives specific direction on when maintenance will end, maintenance should be collected until those conditions are met. If an order is granted under the federal Divorce Act, the Alberta Domestic Relations Act (after May 17, 1995) or the Alberta Family Law Act and does not give specific conditions on when maintenance shall end, it will be enforced until age 22 if the child remains a full time student.
    
    In most cases, the debtor’s jurisdiction will collect until the age of majority for the jurisdiction where the child resides unless information is received before that time advising the child is no longer eligible.
    
    
11. Whom do I contact for updates on my file?
    You should contact Alberta MEP for inquiries into your file.
    
    
12. How can I have my order varied?
    If you wish to change the amount of support paid, a court application will need to be made. If your order or agreement is granted under provincial legislation, the application can be made under the ISO Act. This includes filing an application in Alberta that will be heard by a court in the debtor’s jurisdiction.
    
    If your order was granted under the federal Divorce Act, a provisional application is required. This application will be heard in the debtor’s jurisdiction. For information on a provisional application, refer to the Family Law Information Centres Info Sheet.