How to Get Arrears Off of a Credit Report With a Modification in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Bureau of Child Support Enforcement collected and distributed $1.38 billion in payments owed by noncustodial parents in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2010. Another $1.13 billion in payments were in arrears, or overdue. If you are in arrears, your county's Domestic Relations Section will report your past-due balance to credit reporting agencies until you pay or prove the report isn't accurate. A modification to a child-support order doesn't resolve the amount unpaid. You must provide proof of any accompanying adjustment in the overdue amount to the credit reporting agencies to remove arrears from your report.

Instructions

1

Find your county's DRS office by using the agency's online office locator.

2

Petition your county DRS office for a modification of your child-support order if you meet any of the common causes in Pennsylvania law -- your income has decreased, the custodial parent's income has increased, the child has been emancipated or you have reached a private agreement with the other parent.

3

Attend the DRS office conference that is scheduled for you. Bring any information that the DRS may request.

4

Agree upon a modified amount of support with the other parent at the conference or let the DRS enter an order. Appeal the order if you aren't satisfied.

5

Download a copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, which is maintained by the three major credit bureaus, or directly from the websites of Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Contact the agencies using their online dispute services if outdated arrears information appears on your reports. Provide a copy of the modification addressing arrears if needed.