MEP Definitions

Many of the words and terms used in family law matters are legal and technical. The following is a list of terms used by MEP and what they mean. You may find additional definitions on the Family Law Manitoba’s Definitions webpage.

Term Definition
Adjustment When there is a change in the support amounts payable and dates, or a direct payment is reported, an adjustment will be made to the file balance and/ or ongoing support payments to reflect the changes.
Arrears Unpaid support payments.
Child Support Guidelines The Manitoba Child Support Guidelines Regulation and the Federal Child Support Guidelines set out rules with respect to child support. The Manitoba Child Support Guidelines will apply to most cases involving Manitoba families. Both the Manitoba and the Federal guidelines include the same child support “Tables” to determine the amount of child support a payor is required to pay, based on income, the number of children to be supported, and the province or territory where the payor lives. In addition to the base Table amount, the guidelines set out rules regarding additional payments for special or extraordinary expenses (“section 7 expenses”).
Credit Bureau Registration MEP may register the support payor’s arrears as a debt owing with Equifax and TransUnion.
Dependent A child of the relationship named in the court order or agreement.
Direct Payment A payment made directly to the support recipient outside of MEP. Please see the Direct Payment section for information on how to report a direct payment.
Driver Licence and Vehicle Registration Restrictions MEP may request Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to revoke or restrict the support payor’s driver’s licence or motor vehicle registration(s).
Enforcement Actions Actions taken to enforce a support order or agreement when a support payor has outstanding support arrears:
Federal Licence Denial MEP may request the federal government to revoke or deny federally issued licences (for example: passport, aviation or marine licences).
Federal Support Deduction Notice A notice issued to the federal government to collect support payment and/or arrears from federal sources (for example: income tax refunds, Canada Pension Plan, GST Rebates)
Income Source An employer, benefit payor (ex. WCB, insurance company) or financial institution.
Jurisdiction 1) The scope of authority given to a particular court, tribunal or other decision-making body; the types of cases a court or decision-making body has the power to determine; the geographical area in which a court or decision-making body has the power to make decisions. 2) a province, territory, state, or country (“reciprocating jurisdiction”)
Land Titles/Personal Property Liens MEP may request an order be registered against the support payor’s real (land) or personal property (for example: car, boat).
MEP File Contains both support recipient and support payor related documentation that is confidential The file is the property of MEP and information contained in the file cannot be shared with the other party, with the exception of information received with respect to child support enforcement eligibility or an administrative suspension of enforcement (ASOE).
Non-wage Support Deduction Notice A notice issued to the support payor’s financial institution to collect support payments and/or arrears directly from their accounts (formerly known as a bank garnishment).
Pension Garnishing Order An order to attach funds from various types of pension plans.
Statements of Account A record of the financial transactions on a file that may include the following terms:
  • Late Payment Penalty (LPP)
 a penalty assessed on outstanding support arrears
  • Child Support
Amount set out in a support order or agreement for child support
  • Spousal Support
Amount set out in a support order or agreement for spousal support
  • Support (Other)
 Amount set out in a support order or agreement not specific to spousal or child support
  • Section 7 Expenses
 Amount set out in a support order or agreement for other expenses payable (for example: daycare, extracurricular activities, medical expenses).
  • Enforceable Balance
The amount of support arrears and/or LPP that is due
  • Unenforceable Balance
A court ordered amount of support arrears that will become due and payable at a later date
  • Pending Money
 Money that has been received but has not been processed by MEP
  • Arrangement (Ongoing)
The regular support amount payable when a payment arrangement is in place
  • Arrangement (Arrears)
The additional amount due to pay off the file balance when a payment arrangement is in place
  • Effective Date
 The date a payment is received by MEP, or the date the adjustment affected the file
  • Transaction Date
 The date a payment is processed or an adjustment is completed on the file
  • Out of System
 A payment made between the parties outside of MEP or an adjusting entry for a credit balance due to a reduction in the support amount payable. No actual payment is issued by MEP for these entries.
  • Refund/Improper Credit
 Money refunded to the support payor
Support Recipient The party entitled to receive support (formerly known as a creditor)
Support Payor The party obligated to pay support (formerly known as a debtor)
Support Order
(support order or agreement) 		formerly known as “maintenance order”
  • an order, interim order, or variation order for payment of support;
  • a family arbitration support award under The Arbitration Act that includes child support, spousal support or common-law partner support;
  • a support order or written agreement, made in a jurisdiction outside Manitoba and registered or confirmed in Manitoba, or a support order or variation order made in Manitoba or in a reciprocating jurisdiction outside Manitoba and registered in Manitoba;
  • support agreement;
  • decision of the Child Support Service;
  • MEP Agreement.; or
  • a decision of a child support service in another province or a territory and decisions of a designated jurisdiction as defined in the Divorce Act (Canada).
Voluntary Payment A payment made by a support payor and not received through enforcement actions.
Wage Support Deduction Notice A notice issued to the support payor’s employer to collect support payments and/or arrears directly from their wages (formerly known as a wage garnishment).
Writ of Seizure MEP may obtain an order from the court to take ownership of the support payor’s property and obtain funds through the sale of the property.