SERVICES PROVIDED
When a family is receiving public assistance, the county attorney brings actions to obtain or enforce child support obligations, or to establish the paternity of a child, in order to obtain reimbursement for assistance and other costs to the taxpayers. Parents not receiving federal or state monetary assistance may also apply for and receive these child support enforcement or paternity establishment services. For an application, call the Child Support Enforcement Office at (218) 463-2411 or pick one up at:
Roseau County Social Services
208 6th Street SW
Roseau, MN 56751
SERVICES NOT PROVIDED
The Roseau County Attorney's Office does not provide the following services:
- Legal advice to either party
- Divorce Action
- Legal actions for visitation/parenting time or custody
- Establishment of spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Enforcement of court ordered payment of unpaid bills
- Attorneys' fees
- Property settlement
- Any other items not related to support payments
You may wish to contact a private attorney if you need any of these services. Please be aware that child support issues are entirely independent from custody and visitation/parenting time issues.
ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
There is no attorney-client relationship between the county attorney and either the custodial parent or non-custodial parent. In child support cases, the county attorney represents the county's interest in having children adequately supported and in collecting overdue child support and medical support. If your interests are ever different from the interest of the county, the county attorney will represent the county's interest. You have the right to your own attorney and may hire one at any time. You may also decide to represent yourself. In paternity actions only, if you cannot pay for an attorney, you may ask the court to appoint one for you.
For further information, contact the Child Support Enforcement Division at (218) 463-2411, or the agent listed on your monthly statements.
Legal Authorities
Legal Forms
Additional Resources
- Association for Children for Enforcement of Support
- Minnesota DHS Office of Child Support Enforcement
- United States Office of Child Support Enforcement
CIVIL
The county attorney is the legal advisor for the county board of commissioners, county officials and county departments. The county attorney is not authorized to provide civil legal advice to private citizens in their capacity as county attorney. As the legal advisor for the county, the county attorney serves in a role that is similar to that of an in-house corporate counsel.