MEP’s standard services are currently available to all clients at no charge. However, the Maintenance Enforcement Act and Maintenance Enforcement Regulation allow MEP to charge penalties to debtors (those who are ordered to pay maintenance) and creditors (those who are entitled to receive maintenance). Penalties encourage the timely payment of maintenance and the efficient use of MEP services by all clients. Clients who do not meet their obligations or do not follow MEP’s procedures will be charged a penalty to partially cover the cost of the additional resources required for them.
Direct Payment Penalty: $50
(Effective October 1, 2008)
The direct payment penalty exists to discourage creditors from accepting payments directly from debtors. To collect maintenance effectively, MEP needs to know about all payments made.
To avoid this penalty, creditors should not accept payments directly from the debtor. If a creditor receives a payment directly from the debtor, they must report that payment to MEP Accounts Online or MEP Info Line at 780-422-5555 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access anywhere in Alberta) within seven (7) days of receiving the payment.
The direct payment penalty does not apply to payments MEP collects and deposits directly into a creditor’s bank account.
Default Penalty: $25
(Effective December 2005)
A default penalty encourages debtors to make their child support payments on the due date set in the court order or agreement. This penalty will apply on all files where money is owing unless a payment arrangement is in place. In order to avoid this charge, the payment must be received at MEP on or before the due date as required by the court order, agreement or payment arrangement. One penalty will be charged per month and will appear on the debtor statement within 31 days.
Failure to Return a Statement of Finances: $200 or Prosecution
(Effective December 2005)
If a debtor fails to return a requested Statement of Finances, (a document that requires a full disclosure, under oath, of the debtor's employment, income, assets, expenses and liabilities), or knowingly provides false information in a Statement of Finances, they may be subject to a $200 penalty or prosecution. Prosecution may result in a fine of up to $2,000, three months imprisonment or both.
NSF Penalty: $50
(Effective November 14, 2005)
If a debtor’s payment is returned by the bank for non-sufficient funds or returned due to a “stop payment” their MEP file will be charged a $50 penalty.