I'm being taken to domestic court. What are my rights?
Full Question:
Answer:
According to Pennsylvania statutes, support is money given by a person to help provide food, clothing, shelter, medical insurance coverage, and other necessities for his or her dependents. Support takes priority over most other household bills that a Defendant may have. Married persons are liable for the support of each other according to their respective abilities to provide support, as provided by law. Both parents have an obligation to support their children according to their earning ability. The amount of a spousal and/or child support obligation depends on many factors set forth in the Pennsylvania support guidelines, which may be found in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure at Rules 1910.16-1 through 1910.16-7. http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/231/chapter1910/s1910.16-1.html
Generally, children are entitled to receive support until their eighteenth birthday or until
they graduate from high school, whichever occurs last. Each parent may be required to pay child
support when his or her child has been placed with a juvenile justice facility or child welfare
agency by a Judge, or if the child is residing with a nonparent third party. In those instances, the
government agency or nonparent third party becomes the Plaintiff, and both parents may be
Defendants expected to pay support according to the support guidelines.
Therefore if you are brought to court by a government agency (usually a county in Pennsylvania), you will need to respond or risk default. You may need to consult with an attorney prior to any hearing.
