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The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.

Chapter 3123 | Defaults Under Child Support Orders

 
 
 
Section
Section 3123.01 | Defaults under child support orders definitions.
 

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Court support order" and "personal earnings" have the same meanings as in section 3119.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Default," "financial institution," "income," and "payor" have the same meanings as in section 3121.01 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Default notice" means the notice required by section 3123.03 of the Revised Code.

(D) "Period of default" means the period beginning on the date a default under a support order is identified and ending on the date the total arrearage amount owed under the order is paid.

Section 3123.02 | Investigation after identification of default under support order.
 

Immediately after identification of a default under a support order, the child support enforcement agency shall conduct an investigation to determine the employment status of the obligor, the obligor's social security number, the name and business address of the obligor's employer, whether the obligor is in default under a support order, the amount of any arrearages, and any other information necessary to enable the court or agency to impose any withholding or deduction requirements and issue the related notices described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code or to issue any court orders described in division (C) or (D) of section 3121.03 of the Revised Code. The agency shall also conduct an investigation under this section when required by section 3119.80 or 3119.81 of the Revised Code and shall complete the investigation within twenty days after the court orders the investigation under section 3119.81 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.021 | Notifying employer to withhold arrearage amount.
 

If an obligor under a support order is identified as being in default under the order and is also identified under section 3121.895 of the Revised Code as obtaining employment, the withholding notice issued under section 3121.03 of the Revised Code shall require the arrearage amount resulting from the default to be withheld in addition to current support amounts.

If an obligor under a support order is identified as being in default under the order and is also identified through a source other than section 3121.895 of the Revised Code as obtaining employment, the child support enforcement agency administering the order shall send a withholding notice to the employer pursuant to section 3121.03 of the Revised Code, unless the employee's income is not subject to withholding, not later than two business days after discovery of the employment. The withholding notice shall require the arrearage amount resulting from the default to be withheld in addition to current support amounts.

Section 3123.21 of the Revised Code applies to a withholding notice issued in accordance with this section beginning on the date it is issued and ending on the date the period of default ends.

Section 3123.022 | Right to contest.
 

The issuance of a withholding notice in accordance with section 3123.021 of the Revised Code does not affect the obligor's right to contest pursuant to sections 3123.04 and 3123.05 of the Revised Code an identification of default or the amount of arrearages identified under the default.

The timely filing of a written request or motion for an administrative or court hearing under section 3123.04 or 3123.05 of the Revised Code does not cause the suspension of a withholding notice issued in accordance with section 3123.021 of the Revised Code.

Last updated March 4, 2022 at 4:09 PM

Section 3123.03 | Sending default notice to obligor.
 

Within fifteen calendar days after the identification of a default under a support order, the office of child support in the department of job and family services shall send a default notice to the obligor. The default notice shall include a summary of the actions that may be taken against the obligor if the court or agency makes a final and enforceable determination that the obligor is in default. If the location of the obligor is unknown at the time of the identification of a default under the support order, the office shall send the default notice to the obligor's last known address.

Section 3123.031 | Default notice contents.
 

The default notice shall contain all of the following:

(A) The date on which it is issued;

(B) A statement that the obligor is in default under a support order;

(C) The amount of arrearages the obligor owes due to the default as of the date the default notice is issued;

(D) A statement that any arrearages owed by the obligor that arise after the default notice is issued and during the period of default will be added to the obligor's total child support obligation and will be subject to collection efforts without further default notice;

(E) A statement of the types of withholding or deduction requirements and related notices described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code or the types of court orders described in sections 3121.03, 3121.04 to 3121.08, and 3121.12 of the Revised Code that will be issued for payment of support and arrearages and the amount that will be withheld or deducted pursuant to those requirements;

(F) A statement that any notice for the withholding or deduction of an amount from income or assets applies to all current and subsequent payors of the obligor and financial institutions in which the obligor has an account and that any withholding or deduction requirement and related notice described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code or any court order described in sections 3121.03, 3121.04 to 3121.08, and 3121.12 of the Revised Code that is issued will not be discontinued solely because the obligor pays arrearages;

(G) A statement that the obligor may file with the child support enforcement agency, within fourteen days after the date on which the default notice is issued, a written request for an administrative hearing under section 3123.04 of the Revised Code;

(H) A statement that, if the obligor files a timely written request for an administrative hearing, the obligor may file with the court, within fourteen days after the agency makes its determinations under the administrative hearing, a written motion for a court hearing under section 3123.05 of the Revised Code;

(I) An explanation of the administrative and court action that will take place if the obligor files a timely written request or motion for an administrative or court hearing;

(J) An explanation of how a final and enforceable determination of default and amount of arrearages is made under sections 3123.032, 3123.04, and 3123.05 of the Revised Code;

(K) A statement that a withholding notice may be issued in accordance with section 3123.021 of the Revised Code if the agency determines the obligor has obtained employment and an explanation of the provisions of section 3123.022 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.032 | Notice becomes final determination if no request for hearing.
 

(A) If an obligor who has received a default notice under section 3123.03 of the Revised Code fails to make a timely request for an administrative hearing under section 3123.04 of the Revised Code, the default notice becomes a final and enforceable determination by the child support enforcement agency that identified the default of both of the following:

(1) The obligor is in default under the support order.

(2) The amount of the arrearage owed as a result of the default.

(B) If an agency's determination becomes final and enforceable under this section, the agency shall take further action as required under section 3123.06 of the Revised Code.

Last updated March 4, 2022 at 4:10 PM

Section 3123.033 | Standard forms for default notice.
 

The department of job and family services shall adopt standard forms for the default notice.

Section 3123.034 | Notice issued before 12/13/2002.
 

An advance notice issued under section 3123.03 of the Revised Code as that section existed prior to the effective date of this section shall be treated the same as a default notice issued under section 3123.03 of the Revised Code as amended by this act. If an obligor subject to an advance notice has not exhausted the rights to contest withholding or deduction because of a mistake of fact pursuant to sections 3123.02 to 3123.071 of the Revised Code as those sections existed prior to the effective date of this section, the obligor may proceed in accordance with sections 3123.03 to 3123.06 of the Revised Code as amended by this act at the comparable point of the proceedings.

Last updated December 8, 2023 at 4:19 PM

Section 3123.04 | Administrative hearing.
 

An obligor who receives a default notice under section 3123.03 of the Revised Code may file a written request for an administrative hearing with the child support enforcement agency that identified the default regarding whether a mistake of fact was made in the notice. The request must be filed not later than fourteen days after the date on which the default notice is issued.

If the obligor makes a timely request for a hearing, the agency shall conduct an administrative hearing no later than ten days after the date on which the obligor files the request for the hearing. No later than five days before the date on which the hearing is to be conducted, the agency shall send the obligor and the obligee written notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing. The notice to the obligor and obligee also shall indicate that the obligor may present testimony and evidence at the hearing only in regard to the issue of whether a mistake of fact was made in the default notice.

At the hearing, the agency shall determine whether a mistake of fact was made in the default notice. The agency shall send its determinations to the obligor. The agency's determinations are final and are enforceable by the court unless, within fourteen days after the agency issues its determinations, the obligor files a written motion with the court for a court hearing to determine whether a mistake of fact still exists in the default notice.

If an agency's determination becomes final and enforceable under this section, the agency shall take further action as required under section 3123.06 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.05 | Motion for court hearing.
 

If, not later than fourteen days after the child support enforcement agency issues its determinations under section 3123.04 of the Revised Code, the obligor files a written motion for a court hearing to determine whether a mistake of fact still exists in the default notice, the court shall hold a hearing as soon as possible, but not later than ten days, after the motion is filed. Not later than five days before the date on which the court hearing is to be held, the court shall send the obligor and the obligee written notice by ordinary mail of the date, time, place, and purpose of the court hearing. The hearing shall be limited to a determination of whether there is a mistake of fact in the default notice.

At the hearing, the court shall determine whether there is a mistake of fact in the default notice. On the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall make its determination. The determination is final and enforceable. The court shall take further action as provided in section 3123.06 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.06 | Final and enforceable determination of default.
 

(A) If either a court, under section 3123.05 of the Revised Code, or child support enforcement agency, under section 3123.032 or 3123.04 of the Revised Code, makes a final and enforceable determination that an obligor is in default under a support order, one of the following shall apply:

(1) If no withholding notice was issued in accordance with section 3123.021 of the Revised Code with respect to the order, the court or agency shall issue one or more notices requiring withholding or deduction of income or assets of the obligor in accordance with section 3121.03 of the Revised Code, or the court shall issue one or more court orders imposing other appropriate requirements in accordance with sections 3121.03, 3121.035, and 3121.04 to 3121.08, and division (C) of section 3121.12 of the Revised Code.

(2) If a withholding notice was issued in accordance with section 3123.021 of the Revised Code with respect to the order and the final and enforceable determination of default altered the arrearage amount stated in the default notice, the court or agency, whichever made the determination, shall revise the withholding notice and may issue, as appropriate, any of the notices or orders described in division (A)(1) of this section.

(3) If a withholding notice was issued in accordance with section 3123.021 of the Revised Code with respect to the order but the final and enforceable determination of default did not alter the arrearage amount stated in the default notice, the withholding notice shall remain in effect. The court or agency, in addition and as appropriate, may issue any other notice or order described in division (A)(1) of this section.

(B) If a court, under section 3123.05 of the Revised Code, or an agency, under section 3123.04 of the Revised Code, determines that no default exists under a support order, the court or agency shall terminate the default proceedings. If a withholding notice was issued in accordance with section 3123.021 of the Revised Code with respect to the order, the court or agency, whichever made the final and enforceable determination, shall revise the withholding notice, and may issue, as appropriate, any of the notices or orders described in division (A)(1) of this section, to collect current support.

(C) A withholding or deduction notice issued under division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of this section shall require the payment of arrearages caused by the default along with any payment for current support. A withholding or deduction notice or other appropriate order described under this section shall be issued not later than fifteen days after the determination of default under the support order becomes final and enforceable. Section 3123.21 of the Revised Code applies to a withholding or deduction notice or other appropriate order described under division (A) of this section beginning on the date it is issued and ending on the date the period of default ends.

Section 3123.061 | Application of presumed minimum payment provision.
 

Section 3123.21 of the Revised Code applies to a withholding or deduction notice or other appropriate order issued under section 3123.06 of the Revised Code as that section existed prior to the effective date of this section beginning on the date the notice or order was issued and ending on the date the period of default ends.

Section 3123.07 | Failing to give default notice.
 

The failure of the office of child support in the department of job and family services to give the default notice required by section 3123.03 of the Revised Code does not affect the ability of any child support enforcement agency or court to issue any notice or order for the payment of support, does not provide any defense to any notice or order for the payment of support, and does not affect any obligation to pay support.

Section 3123.10 | Duty of court to notify agency.
 

If any of the following occurs, the court shall notify the child support enforcement agency:

(A) The court is required to issue a withholding or deduction notice under section 3121.03 of the Revised Code or to issue a court order described in division (C) or (D) of that section and fails to do so.

(B) The court issued an order under division (B)(1) of former section 3113.21 of the Revised Code, as it existed immediately preceding December 1, 1986, or issues a withholding or deduction notice under section 3121.03 of the Revised Code or issues a court order described in division (C) or (D) of that section and the court determines that the order or withholding or deduction notice will not ensure payment of the support due under the child support order.

(C) The obligor fails after the issuance of a notice or court order under section 3121.03 of the Revised Code to comply with the notice or court order.

Section 3123.11 | Agency to notify obligee of default.
 

On receipt of notice under section 3123.10 of the Revised Code, the child support enforcement agency shall notify the obligee of the default, of the obligee's rights and remedies, and that the agency is responsible for enforcing support orders under section 3125.11 of the Revised Code, Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act," 88 Stat. 2351 (1975), 42 U.S.C. 651 et seq., as amended, and Chapter 3125. of the Revised Code. The notice shall contain a printed explanation of the provisions of the Revised Code governing the obligee's rights and remedies.

Section 3123.12 | Keeping case files open.
 

No child support enforcement agency, solely because the support due under a support order has not been paid or has not been paid periodically or recently, shall consider, list, or otherwise administer the support order or the case pertaining to it as if either were closed or close the files or the case pertaining to the support order.

Section 3123.121 | Rules for keeping case files open.
 

The director of job and family services shall adopt, revise, or amend rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to assist in the implementation of section 3123.12 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.13 | Payment of arrearage does not terminate order.
 

No withholding or deduction notice or other appropriate order described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code and issued under the Revised Code shall be terminated solely because the obligor pays any part or all of the arrearages under the support order.

Section 3123.14 | Collecting arrearage where order is terminated.
 

If a child support order is terminated for any reason, the obligor under the child support order is or was at any time in default under the support order and, after the termination of the order, the obligor owes an arrearage under the order, the obligee may make application to the child support enforcement agency that administered the child support order prior to its termination or had authority to administer the child support order to maintain any administrative or judicial action or proceeding to enforce the order on behalf of the obligee to obtain relief. If a withholding or deduction notice is issued pursuant to section 3121.03 of the Revised Code to collect an arrearage, the amount withheld or deducted from the obligor's personal earnings, income, or accounts shall be rebuttably presumed to be at least equal to the amount that was withheld or deducted under the terminated child support order. A court or agency administering the child support order may consider evidence of household expenditures, income variables, extraordinary health care issues, and other reasons for deviation from the presumed amount.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 3123.15 | Action to collect arrearage.
 

An action or proceeding on behalf of the obligee shall be commenced by the child support enforcement agency as required by section 3123.14 of the Revised Code within twenty days after completion of an application by the obligee.

Section 3123.16 | Payments to be monthly.
 

Any order issued under section 3123.14 of the Revised Code shall be payable at least monthly.

Section 3123.17 | Issuing or modifying support order when obligor is in default under prior order.
 

(A) When a court issues or modifies a court support order, the court shall determine the following:

(1) Whether the obligor is in default under a prior court support order or the court support order being modified;

(2) If the obligor is in default, the date the court support order went into default and the amount of support arrearages owed pursuant to the default.

If the court determines the obligor is in default under a support order, the court shall issue a new order requiring the obligor to pay support. If the court determines the default was willful, the court may assess interest on the arrearage amount from the date the court specifies as the date of default to the date the court issues the new order requiring the payment of support and, if interest is assessed, shall compute the interest at the rate specified in section 1343.03 of the Revised Code. The court shall specify in the support order the amount of interest the court assessed against the obligor, if any, and incorporate the amount of interest into the new monthly payment plan.

(B) When a court issues or modifies a court support order, the court may include in the support order a statement ordering either party to pay the costs of the action, including, but not limited to, attorney's fees, fees for genetic tests in contested actions under sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code, and court costs.

Section 3123.171 | Interest on support arrearage.
 

When a court renders a money judgment for child support, pursuant to a motion for a lump sum judgment filed by an obligee, interest shall accrue on that arrearage unless the court finds that it would be inequitable to assess interest. The interest shall accrue from the date the judgment is rendered to a date certain set for payment of the judgment at a rate specified in section 1343.03 of the Revised Code at the time the judgment is rendered. A court may assess interest on a child support arrearage prior to judgment pursuant to section 3123.17 of the Revised Code. The court shall enter the amount due, including interest, in the journal. If interest is not assessed, the court shall enter the reasons for not assessing interest in the journal.

Section 3123.18 | Final judgment.
 

If a court or child support enforcement agency made a final and enforceable determination under sections 3123.02 to 3123.071 of the Revised Code as those sections existed prior to the effective date of this section or makes a final and enforceable determination under sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code that an obligor is in default under a support order, each payment or installment that was due and unpaid under the support order that is the basis for the default determination plus any arrearage amounts that accrue after the default determination and during the period of default shall be a final judgment which has the full force, effects, and attributes of a judgment entered by a court of this state for which execution may issue under Title XXIII of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 8, 2021 at 5:35 PM

Section 3123.181 | Certified pay-off statement.
 

On the request of an obligor, obligee, or authorized representative of an obligor or obligee, the child support enforcement agency administering the order for which a judgment under section 3123.18 of the Revised Code has arisen shall issue to the obligor and obligee or their authorized representatives a certified pay-off statement of the total amount due on the judgment as of the time of the request. The certified pay-off statement shall be valid for a period of thirty days after the date it was issued.

Last updated September 8, 2021 at 5:36 PM

Section 3123.182 | Obtaining execution on certified pay-off statement.
 

During the period a certified pay-off statement issued under section 3123.181 of the Revised Code is valid, the obligee under the support order for which the statement was issued, or a child support enforcement agency on behalf of the obligee, may bring an action to obtain execution on the certified pay-off statement in the common pleas court that issued the support order or, if the order is an administrative child support order, the common pleas court of the county served by the agency that issued the order. The court shall treat the certified pay-off statement as a rebuttable presumption of the amount of the judgment. The court shall not require the reduction of unpaid support payments and installments or arrearages under the support order for which the certified pay-off statement applies to a lump sum for purposes of execution.

Last updated September 8, 2021 at 5:37 PM

Section 3123.183 | Applicability of additional authority to collect arrearage.
 

Nothing in sections 3123.18 to 3123.182 of the Revised Code limits the applicability of section 3123.22 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 8, 2021 at 5:38 PM

Section 3123.19 | Disposing of payments received on arrearage.
 

If child support arrearages are owed by an obligor to the obligee and to the department of job and family services, any payments received on the arrearages by the office of child support shall be paid in accordance with Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act," 88 Stat. 2351, 42 U.S.C. 651 et seq., as amended, and rules adopted by the director of job and family services.

If an obligor is in default under a support order and has a claim against another person of more than one thousand dollars, the obligor shall notify the child support enforcement agency of the claim, the nature of the claim, and the name of the person against whom the claim exists. If an obligor is in default under a support order and has a claim against another person or is a party in an action for any judgment, the child support enforcement agency or the agency's attorney, on behalf of the obligor, immediately shall file with the court in which the action is pending a motion to intervene in the action or a creditor's bill. The motion to intervene shall be prepared and filed pursuant to Civil Rules 5 and 24(A) and (C).

Nothing in this division shall preclude an obligee from filing a motion to intervene in any action or a creditor's bill.

Section 3123.20 | Employer may not penalize employee for being subject to support order.
 

No employer shall discharge an employee for reason of any order issued under the Revised Code to collect support due from the employee under a support order.

Section 3123.21 | Presumed minimum payment on arrearage.
 

(A) A withholding or deduction notice described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code or an order to collect current support due under a support order and any arrearage owed by the obligor under a support order pertaining to the same child or spouse shall be rebuttably presumed to provide that the arrearage amount collected with each payment of current support equal at least twenty per cent of the current support payment.

(B) A court or administrative hearing officer may consider evidence of household expenditures, income variables, extraordinary health care issues, and other reasons for a deviation from the twenty per cent presumption.

Section 3123.22 | Additional authority of agency to collect arrearage.
 

Except as otherwise provided in this section, if an obligor is paying off an arrearage owed under a support order pursuant to a withholding or deduction notice or order issued under section 3121.03 of the Revised Code, a support order newly issued or modified, or any other order issued to collect the arrearage, the child support enforcement agency administering the notice or order may also take any action, including, but not limited to, any of the following to collect any arrearage amount that has not yet been collected under the notice or order, unless the obligee and obligor agree in a writing signed by the obligee and obligor and approved by the court by journal entry that the additional actions be limited to the actions provided for in division (C) of this section:

(A) Issue one or more withholding or deduction notices under section 3121.03 of the Revised Code;

(B) Collect pursuant to section 3121.12 of the Revised Code a lump sum payment owed to the obligor;

(C) Collect pursuant to sections 3123.81 to 3123.823 of the Revised Code any federal or state income tax refund owed to the obligor;

(D) Issue a withdrawal directive pursuant to sections 3123.24 to 3123.38 of the Revised Code;

(E) Obtain administrative offset pursuant to section 3123.85 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.23 | Collection of arrearages from collateral sources.
 

(A) The director of job and family services shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement a program to collect arrearages owed under child support orders from insurance claims, settlements, awards, and payments based on information obtained pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 652.

(B) Any insurer and any director, agent, or employee authorized to act on behalf of an insurer, that releases information or makes a disclosure in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to this section shall be immune from liability in a civil action for harm resulting from the disclosure.

(C) As used in this section, "insurer" has the same meaning as in section 3901.32 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.24 | Access restriction defined.
 

For the purposes of sections 3123.24 to 3123.38 of the Revised Code, "access restriction" means that funds may not be withdrawn or transferred.

Section 3123.25 | Account information of obligor in default entered into case registry.
 

(A) If, as a result of information obtained pursuant to an agreement under section 3121.74 of the Revised Code, the office of child support in the department of job and family services finds or receives notice that identifies an obligor in default who maintains an account with a financial institution, the office shall, within one business day, enter the information into the case registry established pursuant to section 3121.81 of the Revised Code.

(B) If a child support enforcement agency, upon notice or discovery of an account, determines that an obligor in default under a support order administered by the agency maintains an account in a financial institution, the agency shall determine whether the obligor is subject to a final and enforceable determination of default made under sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code. If the obligor is subject to a final and enforceable determination of default, the agency may issue an access restriction notice to the financial institution in which the obligor's account is maintained.

Section 3123.26 | Restrictions on account placed by financial institution.
 

A financial institution shall promptly place an access restriction on the account of an obligor who maintains an account at the financial institution upon receipt of an access restriction notice with respect to the obligor from the child support enforcement agency. The access restriction shall remain on the account until the financial institution complies with a withdrawal directive under section 3123.37 of the Revised Code or a court or child support enforcement agency orders the financial institution to remove the access restriction. A copy of the access restriction notice shall be sent to the obligor at the same time it is sent to the financial institution.

Section 3123.27 | Investigating account.
 

The child support enforcement agency may investigate and determine the amount of funds in the account that is available to satisfy the obligor's arrearages under a support order. The financial institution shall cooperate with the agency's investigation.

Section 3123.28 | Withdrawal directive.
 

If a child support enforcement agency that completes an account investigation does not find that any person other than the obligor has an ownership interest in the account, it shall issue a withdrawal directive pursuant to section 3123.37 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.29 | Notice to other person with ownership interest in account.
 

If a child support enforcement agency finds that a person other than an obligor has an ownership interest in an account, the agency shall send written notice by first-class mail to that person at an address for that person contained in records of the financial institution, except that if the address of that person is not contained in records of the financial institution, the agency shall send the notice to that person in care of another person whose address is contained in records of the financial institution concerning the account.

Section 3123.30 | Notice contents.
 

The notice sent under section 3123.29 of the Revised Code shall contain both of the following:

(A) A statement of the date the notice is sent, that another of the account holders is an obligor under a support order, the name of the obligor, that the support order is in default, the amount of the arrearage owed by the obligor as determined by the court or child support enforcement agency, the amount that will be withdrawn, the type of account from which the amount will be withdrawn, and the name of the financial institution from which the amount will be withdrawn;

(B) A statement that the person may object to the withdrawal by filing with the agency, no later than fourteen days after the date on which the notice is issued, a written request for an administrative hearing to determine whether any amount contained in the account is the property of the person to whom the notice is sent and should not be subject to the withdrawal directive.

Section 3123.31 | Administrative hearing request.
 

The person to whom notice is sent under section 3123.29 of the Revised Code shall have fourteen days from the date the notice is issued to object to the withdrawal by filing with the child support enforcement agency that sent the notice a written request for an administrative hearing to determine whether any amount contained in the account is the property of that person and should not be subject to the withdrawal directive.

Section 3123.32 | Withdrawal directive where no hearing request.
 

If a person to whom a notice is sent under section 3123.29 of the Revised Code fails to file a timely request for an administrative hearing, the child support enforcement agency that sent the notice shall send a withdrawal directive to the financial institution pursuant to section 3123.37 of the Revised Code. A copy of this notice shall be sent to the obligor.

Section 3123.33 | Hearing.
 

If a person who received notice under section 3123.29 of the Revised Code requests it in a timely manner, the child support enforcement agency that sent the notice shall conduct an administrative hearing no later than ten days after the date the person files the request for the hearing. No later than five days before the date the hearing is to be conducted, the agency shall send the person written notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing.

At the hearing, the agency shall determine whether any amount contained in the account is the property of the person who filed the objection. The person may present testimony and evidence at the hearing only in regard to the issue of whether and how much, if any, of the amount contained in the account is the property of the person and should not be subject to withdrawal directive. If the agency determines that any amount contained in the account is the property of the person, the agency shall determine that amount. The agency shall send notice of its determination to the person.

Section 3123.34 | Releasing access restriction on account.
 

If a child support enforcement agency determines that the total amount in an account is the property of a person who is not the obligor from whom payment is sought, it shall order the financial institution to release the access restriction on the account and shall take no further enforcement action on the account. A copy of this notice shall be sent to the obligor. If the agency determines that some of the funds in the account are the property of the person, it shall order the financial institution to release the access restriction on the account in that amount and shall take no further enforcement action on those funds. A copy of this notice shall be sent to the obligor. The agency shall issue a withdrawal directive pursuant to section 3123.37 of the Revised Code for the remaining funds unless, no later than fourteen days after the agency issues its determination, the person files a written motion with the court of common pleas of the county served by the agency for a hearing to determine whether any amount contained in the account is the property of the person.

Section 3123.35 | Court determination of amount of account belonging to other person.
 

If the person described in section 3123.34 of the Revised Code files a timely motion with the court that issued the support order or that is located in the county where the child support enforcement agency issued the order, the court shall hold a hearing on the request no later than fourteen days after the request is filed. The person who filed the motion shall be considered a temporary party only for the purposes of objecting to the determination made pursuant to section 3123.33 of the Revised Code. No later than five days before the date on which the hearing is to be held, the court shall send the person written notice by ordinary mail of the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing. The hearing shall be limited to a determination of how much, if any, of the amount contained in the account is the property of the person.

Section 3123.36 | Court order for full or partial release of account.
 

If the court determines pursuant to a hearing under section 3123.35 of the Revised Code that all of the funds in the account are the property of the person described in section 3123.34 of the Revised Code, it shall order the financial institution to release the access restriction on the account and to take no further enforcement action on the account. If the court determines that some of the funds in the account are the property of the person, it shall determine that amount, order the financial institution to release the access restriction on the account in that amount, and order the agency to take no further enforcement action on those funds. If the court determines that any of the funds in the account are not the property of the person, it shall issue a withdrawal directive pursuant to section 3123.37 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.37 | Contents of withdrawal directive.
 

(A) Subject to sections 3123.27 and 3123.28 to 3123.36 of the Revised Code, an agency that determines that an obligor has funds in an account in a financial institution shall issue a withdrawal directive to the financial institution. A copy of this notice shall be sent to the obligor. The directive shall require the financial institution to transmit funds from the account to the office of child support.

(B) The withdrawal directive shall contain the following information:

(1) The name, address, and social security number or taxpayer identification number of the obligor;

(2) A statement that the obligor has been determined to be in default under a support order;

(3) The amount of the arrearage owed by the obligor as determined by the court or child support enforcement agency;

(4) The amount of funds that are to be withdrawn from the account and the type of account from which the funds are to be withdrawn.

(C) On receipt of a withdrawal directive, a financial institution shall withdraw the amount specified from the account described in the notice and pay it to the office of child support after deducting a fivedollar fee.

Section 3123.38 | Financial institution imposing access restriction - immunity.
 

A financial institution is not subject to criminal or civil liability for imposing an access restriction on an account or complying with a withdrawal directive pursuant to sections 3123.24 to 3123.38 of the Revised Code or for any other action taken in good faith pursuant to those sections.

Section 3123.41 | Board, license defined.
 

As used in sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Board" means any entity that has the authority pursuant to Title XLVII of the Revised Code to issue a license, and any other agency of this state, other than the supreme court, that has the authority to issue a license that authorizes an individual to engage in an occupation or profession. "Board" includes an administrative officer that has authority to issue a license that authorizes an individual to engage in an occupation or profession.

(B) "License" includes a license, certificate, permit, registration, or other authorization to engage in an occupation or profession.

Section 3123.42 | Determining whether defaulting obligor is license holder.
 

If either of the following occurs with respect to an individual who is an obligor under a child support order, the child support enforcement agency administering the order may determine whether the individual holds a license issued by a board or, if possible, whether the individual has applied for, or is likely to apply for, a license:

(A) A court or child support enforcement agency makes a final and enforceable determination under sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code that the individual is in default under the child support order.

(B) The individual fails, after receiving appropriate notice, to comply with a subpoena or warrant issued by the court or child support enforcement agency with respect to a proceeding to enforce the child support order.

Section 3123.43 | Notice to obligor and licensing board.
 

If a child support enforcement agency, pursuant to section 3123.42 of the Revised Code, determines that an individual is a license holder or has applied for, or is likely to apply for, a license, it shall send the notice described in section 3123.44 of the Revised Code to the individual. The agency also may send a notice to the board that gives the name and social security number or other identifying number of the individual and states that a court or agency has determined that the individual is in default under a child support order or has failed to comply with a warrant or subpoena issued by a court or agency with respect to a proceeding to enforce a child support order.

Section 3123.44 | Contents of notice to obligor.
 

(A) Notice shall be sent to an individual described in section 3123.42 of the Revised Code in compliance with section 3121.23 of the Revised Code. The notice shall specify that a court or child support enforcement agency has determined the individual to be in default under a child support order or that the individual is an obligor who has failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant issued by a court or agency with respect to a proceeding to enforce a child support order, that a notice containing the individual's name and social security number or other identification number may be sent to every board that has authority to issue or has issued the individual a license, and that, if the board receives that notice and determines that the individual is the individual named in that notice and the board has not received notice under section 3123.45 or 3123.46 of the Revised Code, all of the following will occur:

(1) The board will not issue any license to the individual or renew any license of the individual.

(2) The board will suspend any license of the individual if it determines that the individual is the individual named in the notice sent to the board under section 3123.43 of the Revised Code.

(3) If the individual is the individual named in the notice, the board will not issue any license to the individual, and will not reinstate a suspended license, until the board receives a notice under section 3123.45 or 3123.46 of the Revised Code.

(B) If an agency makes the determination described in division (A) of section 3123.42 of the Revised Code, it shall not send the notice described in division (A) of this section unless both of the following are the case:

(1) At least ninety days have elapsed since the final and enforceable determination of default;

(2) In the preceding ninety days, the obligor has failed to pay at least fifty per cent of the total monthly obligation due through means other than those described in sections 3123.81 to 3123.85 of the Revised Code.

(C) The department of job and family services shall adopt rules pursuant to section 3123.63 of the Revised Code establishing a uniform pre-suspension notice form that shall be used by agencies that send notice as required by this section.

Section 3123.45 | Notice to board if obligor is not in default.
 

A child support enforcement agency that sent a notice to a board of an individual's default under a child support order shall send to each board to which the agency sent the notice a further notice that the individual is not in default if it determines that the individual is not in default or any of the following occurs:

(A) The individual makes full payment to the office of child support in the department of job and family services or, pursuant to sections 3125.27 to 3125.30 of the Revised Code, to the child support enforcement agency of the arrearage as of the date the payment is made.

(B) If division (A) is not possible, the individual has presented to the agency sufficient evidence of current employment or of an account in a financial institution, the agency has confirmed the individual's employment or the existence of the account, and an appropriate withholding or deduction notice described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code has been issued to collect current support and any arrearage due under the child support order that was in default.

(C) If divisions (A) and (B) are not possible, the individual presents evidence to the agency sufficient to establish that the individual is unable to work due to circumstances beyond the individual's control.

(D) If divisions (A), (B), and (C) are not possible, the individual enters into and complies with a written agreement with the agency that requires the obligor to comply with either of the following:

(1) A family support program administered or approved by the agency;

(2) A program to establish compliance with a seek work order issued pursuant to section 3123.03 of the Revised Code.

(E) If divisions (A), (B), (C), and (D) are not possible, the individual pays the balance of the total monthly obligation due for the ninety-day period preceding the date the agency sent the notice described in section 3123.44 of the Revised Code.

The agency shall send the notice under this section not later than seven days after the agency determines the individual is not in default or that any of the circumstances specified in this section has occurred.

Section 3123.46 | Notice to board if obligor is no longer out of compliance.
 

A child support enforcement agency that sent a notice to a board of an individual's failure to comply with a warrant or subpoena shall send to each board to which the agency sent the notice a further notice that the individual is no longer out of compliance if the court or agency that issued the warrant or subpoena removes the warrant or determines that the obligor has complied with the subpoena.

The agency shall send the notice under this section not later than seven days after the agency determines that either of the circumstances specified in this section has occurred.

Section 3123.47 | Refusal, nonrenewal or suspension of license of obligor.
 

On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, a board shall determine whether the individual named in the notice holds or has applied for a license from the board. If the board determines that the individual holds or has applied for a license and the individual is the individual named in the notice and does not receive a notice pursuant to section 3123.45 or 3123.46 of the Revised Code, the board may not issue a license to the individual, may not renew a license issued to the individual, and shall suspend any license issued to the individual.

Section 3123.471 | File of notices concerning obligors not currently licensed.
 

A board shall maintain a file containing each notice it receives pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code that names an individual who does not hold a license issued by the board. On receipt of an application for a license from such an individual, the board shall proceed in accordance with section 3123.47 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.48 | Issuing license when obligor becomes eligible.
 

Not later than seven days after receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.45 or 3123.46 of the Revised Code, the board shall, if the individual is otherwise eligible for the license and wants the license, issue a license to or renew a license of the individual, or if the individual's license was suspended pursuant to section 3123.47 of the Revised Code, end the suspension. The board may charge a fee of not more than fifty dollars to issue or renew or end the suspension of a license pursuant to this section.

Section 3123.49 | Hearing.
 

Notwithstanding section 119.06 of the Revised Code, a board shall not hold any hearing in connection with an order refusing to issue or renew a license for, or suspending a license of, an individual pursuant to section 3123.47 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.50 | License applicant to include social security number.
 

A board shall require each application for a license, or renewal of a license, issued by the board to include the applicant's social security number.

Section 3123.53 | Determining whether defaulting obligor is motor vehicle license holder.
 

If either of the following occurs with respect to an individual who is an obligor under a child support order, the child support enforcement agency administering the child support order may determine whether the individual holds a driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, temporary instruction permit, or commercial driver's temporary instruction permit issued by the registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar or, if possible, whether the individual has applied for or is likely to apply for that license, endorsement, or permit:

(A) A court or child support enforcement agency makes a final and enforceable determination under sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code that the individual is in default under the child support order.

(B) The individual fails, after receiving appropriate notice, to comply with a subpoena or warrant issued by the court or child support enforcement agency with respect to a proceeding to enforce the child support order.

Section 3123.54 | Notice to obligor and registrar.
 

If a child support enforcement agency, pursuant to section 3123.53 of the Revised Code, determines that an individual holds a license, endorsement, or permit or has applied for, or is likely to apply for, a license, endorsement, or permit, it shall send the notice described in section 3123.55 of the Revised Code to the individual. The agency also may send a notice to the registrar of motor vehicles that gives the name and social security number or other identifying number of the individual and states that a court or agency has determined that the individual is in default under a child support order or has failed to comply with a warrant or subpoena issued by a court or agency with respect to a proceeding to enforce a child support order.

Section 3123.55 | Contents of notice to obligor.
 

(A) Notice shall be sent to the individual described in section 3123.53 of the Revised Code in compliance with section 3121.23 of the Revised Code. The notice shall specify that a court or child support enforcement agency has determined the individual to be in default under a child support order or that the individual is an obligor under a child support order who has failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant issued by a court or agency with respect to a proceeding to enforce a child support order, that a notice containing the individual's name and social security number or other identification number may be sent to the registrar of motor vehicles, and that, if the registrar receives that notice and determines that the individual is the individual named in that notice and the registrar has not received notice under section 3123.56 or 3123.57 of the Revised Code, all of the following will occur:

(1) The registrar and all deputy registrars will be prohibited from issuing to the individual a driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, or temporary instruction permit or commercial driver's temporary instruction permit.

(2) The registrar and all deputy registrars will be prohibited from renewing for the individual a driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, or commercial driver's temporary instruction permit.

(3) If the individual holds a driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, or temporary instruction permit or commercial driver's temporary instruction permit, the registrar will impose a class F suspension under division (B)(6) of section 4510.02 of the Revised Code if the registrar determines that the individual is the individual named in the notice sent pursuant to section 3123.54 of the Revised Code.

(4) If the individual is the individual named in the notice, the individual will not be issued or have renewed any license, endorsement, or permit, and no suspension will be lifted with respect to any license, endorsement, or permit listed in this section until the registrar receives a notice under section 3123.56 or 3123.57 of the Revised Code.

(B) If an agency makes the determination described in division (A) of section 3123.53 of the Revised Code, it shall not send the notice described in division (A) of this section unless both of the following are the case:

(1) At least ninety days have elapsed since the final and enforceable determination of default;

(2) In the preceding ninety days, the obligor has failed to pay at least fifty per cent of the total monthly obligation due through means other than those described in sections 3123.81 to 3123.85 of the Revised Code.

(C) The department of job and family services shall adopt rules pursuant to section 3123.63 of the Revised Code establishing a uniform pre-suspension notice form that shall be used by agencies that send notice as required by this section.

Section 3123.56 | Notice to registrar if obligor is not in default.
 

A child support enforcement agency that sent a notice under section 3123.54 of the Revised Code of an individual's default under a child support order shall send to the registrar of motor vehicles a notice that the individual is not in default if it determines that the individual is not in default or any of the following occurs:

(A) The individual makes full payment to the office of child support or, pursuant to sections 3125.27 to 3125.30 of the Revised Code, to the child support enforcement agency of the arrearage as of the date the payment is made.

(B) If division (A) is not possible, the individual has presented to the agency sufficient evidence of current employment or of an account in a financial institution, the agency has confirmed the individual's employment or the existence of the account, and an appropriate withholding or deduction notice described in section 3121.03 of the Revised Code has been issued to collect current support and any arrearage due under the child support order that was in default.

(C) If divisions (A) and (B) are not possible, the individual presents evidence to the agency sufficient to establish that the individual is unable to work due to circumstances beyond the individual's control.

(D) If divisions (A), (B), and (C) are not possible, the individual enters into and complies with a written agreement with the agency that requires the obligor to comply with either of the following:

(1) A family support program administered or approved by the agency;

(2) A program to establish compliance with a seek work order issued pursuant to section 3123.03 of the Revised Code.

(E) If divisions (A), (B), (C), and (D) are not possible, the individual pays the balance of the total monthly obligation due for the ninety-day period preceding the date the agency sent the notice described in section 3123.55 of the Revised Code.

The agency shall send the notice under this section not later than seven days after it determines the individual is not in default or that any of the circumstances specified in this section has occurred.

Section 3123.57 | Notice to registrar if obligor is no longer out of compliance.
 

A child support enforcement agency that sent a notice under section 3123.54 of the Revised Code of an individual's failure to comply with a warrant or subpoena shall send to the registrar of motor vehicles a notice that the individual is no longer out of compliance if the court or agency that issued the warrant or subpoena removes the warrant or determines that the individual has complied with the subpoena.

The agency shall send the notice under this section not later than seven days after the agency determines that either of the circumstances specified in this section has occurred.

Section 3123.58 | Notice to registrar and deputies; grant of limited driving privileges.
 

(A) On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.54 of the Revised Code, the registrar of motor vehicles shall determine whether the individual named in the notice holds or has applied for a driver's license or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, or temporary instruction permit or commercial driver's temporary instruction permit. If the registrar determines that the individual holds or has applied for a license, permit, or endorsement and the individual is the individual named in the notice and does not receive a notice pursuant to section 3123.56 or 3123.57 of the Revised Code, the registrar immediately shall provide notice of the determination to each deputy registrar. The registrar or a deputy registrar may not issue to the individual a driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, or temporary instruction permit or commercial driver's temporary instruction permit and may not renew for the individual a driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, or commercial driver's temporary instruction permit. The registrar or a deputy registrar also shall impose a class F suspension of the license, permit, or endorsement held by the individual under division (B)(6) of section 4510.02 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) A court may grant an individual whose license, permit, or endorsement is suspended under this section limited driving privileges in accordance with division (B) of section 4510.021 of the Revised Code pursuant to a request made during an action for contempt initiated under section 2705.031 of the Revised Code. Prior to granting privileges under this division, the court shall request the accused to provide the court with a recent noncertified copy of a driver's abstract from the registrar of motor vehicles and shall request the child support enforcement agency that issued the notice pursuant to section 3123.54 of the Revised Code relative to the individual to advise the court, either in person through a representative testifying at a hearing or through a written document, the position of the agency relative to the issue of the granting of privileges to the individual. The court, in determining whether to grant the individual privileges under this division, shall take into consideration the position of the agency, but the court is not bound by the position of the agency.

(2) A court that grants limited driving privileges to a person under division (B)(1) of this section shall deliver to the person a permit card, in a form to be prescribed by the court, setting forth the date on which the limited privileges will become effective, the purposes for which the person may drive, the times and places at which the person may drive, and any other conditions imposed upon the person's use of a motor vehicle.

(3) The court immediately shall notify the registrar, in writing, of a grant of limited driving privileges under division (B)(1) of this section. The notification shall specify the date on which the limited driving privileges will become effective, the purposes for which the person may drive, and any other conditions imposed upon the person's use of a motor vehicle.

(C) If a person who has been granted limited driving privileges under division (B)(1) of this section is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or is adjudicated in juvenile court of having committed a violation of Chapter 4510. of the Revised Code or any similar municipal ordinance during the period of which the person was granted limited driving privileges, the person's limited driving privileges shall be suspended immediately pending a reinstatement hearing.

Section 3123.581 | File of notices concerning obligors not currently licensed.
 

The registrar of motor vehicles shall maintain a list of names of individuals identified in notices sent to the registrar pursuant to section 3123.54 of the Revised Code that do not hold a driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, or temporary instruction permit or commercial driver's temporary instruction permit. The registrar shall update the list quarterly and provide each deputy registrar with a copy. On receipt of an application for such a license, permit, or endorsement from an individual who appears on the list, a deputy registrar shall notify the registrar. On receipt of an application for such a license, permit, or endorsement from such an individual or on receipt of a notice from a deputy registrar pursuant to this section, the registrar shall proceed in accordance with section 3123.58 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.59 | Issuing license when obligor becomes eligible.
 

Not later than seven days after receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.56 or 3123.57 of the Revised Code, the registrar of motor vehicles shall notify each deputy registrar of the notice. The registrar and each deputy registrar shall then, if the individual otherwise is eligible for the license, permit, or endorsement and wants the license, permit, or endorsement, issue a license, permit, or endorsement to, or renew a license, permit, or endorsement of, the individual, or, if the registrar imposed a class F suspension of the individual's license, permit, or endorsement pursuant to division (A) of section 3123.58 of the Revised Code, remove the suspension. The registrar or a deputy registrar may charge a fee of not more than twenty-five dollars for issuing or renewing or removing the suspension of a license, permit, or endorsement pursuant to this section. The fees collected by the registrar pursuant to this section shall be paid into the public safety - highway purposes fund established in section 4501.06 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.591 | Removal of record of suspension for juveniles.
 

A child support enforcement agency may, pursuant to rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code, direct the registrar of motor vehicles to eliminate from the abstract maintained by the bureau of motor vehicles any reference to the suspension of an individual's license, permit, or endorsement imposed under section 3123.58 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.60 | No hearing to be held.
 

Notwithstanding section 119.06 of the Revised Code, the registrar of motor vehicles shall not hold any hearing in connection with an order refusing to issue or renew a license, permit, or endorsement for, or suspending a license, permit, or endorsement of, an individual pursuant to section 3123.58 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.62 | Determining whether defaulting obligor is recreational license holder.
 

(A) As used in this section, "recreational license" means any license, permit, or stamp issued pursuant to section 1533.10, 1533.11, 1533.111, 1533.112, or 1533.32 of the Revised Code.

(B) If a court or child support enforcement agency makes a final and enforceable determination pursuant to sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code that an individual is in default under a child support order, the agency administering the child support order may determine whether the individual holds a recreational license or, if possible, whether the individual has applied for, or is likely to apply for, such a license. If the agency determines that the individual holds, has applied for, or is likely to apply for, such a license, it shall follow procedures that are substantively the same as those set forth in sections 3123.42 to 3123.46 of the Revised Code and the division of wildlife shall follow procedures that are substantively the same as those set forth in sections 3123.47 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code with respect to the license if both of the following apply:

(1) The division of wildlife has implemented a computer system that maintains license numbers for licenses issued by the division, the names of persons to whom licenses are issued, and the social security numbers of persons to whom licenses are issued.

(2) The division has established safeguards that eliminate the risk that social security numbers provided to the division for the purpose of child support enforcement may be used for purposes other than those permitted by federal law.

Section 3123.63 | Adopting rules concerning license provisions.
 

The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement sections 3123.41 to 3123.50, 3123.53 to 3123.60, and 3123.62 of the Revised Code. The rules shall include both of the following:

(A) Requirements concerning the contents of, and the conditions for issuance of, a notice required by section 3123.44 or 3123.55 of the Revised Code. The rules shall require the contents of the notice to include information about the effect of a license suspension and appropriate steps that an individual can take to avoid license suspension.

(B) Requirements establishing standards for confirming an individual's employment or the existence of an account pursuant to sections 3123.45 and 3123.56 of the Revised Code.

(C) Requirements concerning the authority of a child support enforcement agency to direct the registrar of motor vehicles to eliminate from the abstract maintained by the bureau of motor vehicles any reference to the suspension of an individual's license, permit, or endorsement imposed under section 3123.58 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.66 | Asserting lien upon default.
 

If a court or a child support enforcement agency makes a final and enforceable determination pursuant to sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code that an obligor is in default under a support order, the agency administering the support order may assert a lien on real and personal property of the obligor located in this state.

Section 3123.67 | Arrearage becomes lien against personal and real property.
 

The amount of the arrearage due under the support order determined to be in default pursuant to sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code, and any amounts due for current support that become an arrearage after the date the default determination was made, shall be a lien against all personal property, including after-acquired property, of the obligor that is situated in this state. The lien may be filed with the county recorder in each county of the state in which the personal property is located. The amount of the arrearage due under the support order determined to be in default and any amounts due for current support that become an arrearage after the date the default determination was made, shall be a lien against real property, including after-acquired property, of the obligor after the lien is filed with a county recorder of this state in which the real property is located. A lien may be filed with the county recorder in each county of the state in which real property of the obligor is located. In recording the lien, if registered land is involved, the county recorder shall take all necessary action required by Chapter 5309. of the Revised Code. The county recorder may be compensated for liens filed under this section pursuant to the development of unit costs that are reimbursed under the provider contract entered into pursuant to Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act," 88 Stat. 2351 (1975), 42 U.S.C. 651, as amended.

Section 3123.68 | Liens from other states.
 

On receiving a copy of a lien filed in another state that is similar to a lien described in section 3123.67 of the Revised Code, a copy of the order for child support that is the basis of the lien, and a copy of the court or administrative determination finding the obligor to be in default under the child support order, the office of child support in the department of job and family services shall examine the lien and the other documents and determine whether the lien is in compliance with federal child support law and regulations. If the office determines that the lien is in compliance, the office shall determine the counties of this state in which is located real or personal property of the obligor that may be subjected to the lien. On making the determination, the office shall send a copy of the lien to the child support enforcement agency of the county in which the obligor's real or personal property is located. The agency shall file the lien with the county recorder of the county in which the agency is located. In recording the lien, if registered land is involved, the county recorder shall take all necessary action required by Chapter 5309. of the Revised Code. Once filed, the lien shall be against all real and personal property, including after-acquired property, of the obligor that is situated in that county. Every court, the office, and each child support enforcement agency shall give full faith and credit to a lien established by an authorized agency of another state that is of the type described in section 3123.67 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.69 | Service.
 

A child support enforcement agency shall, no later than ten days after filing a lien pursuant to section 3123.67 or 3123.68 of the Revised Code, serve a copy of the lien by regular mail on the obligor whose real or personal property is subject to the lien and the person or state agency in possession or control of any real or personal property of the obligor.

Section 3123.70 | Lien priority.
 

A lien imposed pursuant to sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code shall have priority over liens, mortgages, security interests, or other types of encumbrances that are associated with the real and personal property subject to the lien imposed by sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code and that arise after the date the lien is filed pursuant to those sections. A lien imposed pursuant to sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code shall not have priority over liens, mortgages, security interests, or other types of encumbrances associated with the real and personal property subject to the lien imposed by sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code that arose on or before the date the lien was filed pursuant to sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.71 | Discharging lien.
 

The lien filed with the county recorder shall be effective until the county recorder discharges the lien. The county recorder shall discharge the lien within five days after a child support enforcement agency files a notice pursuant to section 3123.72 of the Revised Code requesting that the lien be discharged.

Section 3123.72 | Notice requesting county recorder discharge lien.
 

A child support enforcement agency shall file a notice requesting that the county recorder discharge the lien if one of the following applies:

(A) The lien is satisfied through an action pursuant to section 3123.74 of the Revised Code.

(B) The obligor makes full payment of the arrearage to the office of child support in the department of job and family services or, pursuant to sections 3125.27 to 3125.30 of the Revised Code, to the agency that is the basis of the lien.

(C) The agency releases the lien pursuant to section 3123.76 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.73 | Selling property subject to lien.
 

A child support enforcement agency is entitled to have, and may cause, real and personal property subject to a lien established pursuant to sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code to be sold pursuant to section 3123.74 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.74 | Complaint to request execution sale.
 

(A) To obtain a sale of property subject to a lien established under sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code, a child support enforcement agency shall file, with the appropriate court of the county in which the property is located, as described in section 3123.741 of the Revised Code, a complaint stating that the agency has obtained a lien on real and personal property of the obligor that is located in the county and that the agency is entitled to have the property sold to obtain child support that is in arrears and subsequently overdue and asks the court to issue an order that the property be sold by an execution sale in accordance with Chapter 2329. of the Revised Code. The agency shall establish, to the satisfaction of the court, at a hearing described in this section that the agency has obtained the lien and is entitled to the requested order.

(B) On receipt of a complaint described in this section, the court shall conduct a hearing expeditiously. If, at the hearing, the court determines that it has jurisdiction in the matter in accordance with section 3123.741 of the Revised Code and that the child support enforcement agency has obtained a lien pursuant to sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code and is entitled to have the real and personal property of the obligor in the county sold by execution sale to obtain the child support that is in arrears and subsequently overdue, the court shall issue an order that the property be sold by execution sale in accordance with Chapter 2329. of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.741 | Venue for filing complaint.
 

The complaint described in section 3123.74 of the Revised Code shall be filed in the court as follows:

(A) If the child support in arrears was ordered by a court in the county in which the property in question is located, in that court;

(B) If the child support in arrears was ordered by a court of another state or by a court located in a county other than the county in which the property in question is located, the court of common pleas of the county in which the property is located.

Section 3123.75 | Sale extinguishes lien associated with property.
 

A sale of real or personal property pursuant to section 3123.74 of the Revised Code extinguishes the lien associated with the property.

Section 3123.76 | Releasing lien or returning seized property.
 

A child support enforcement agency may at any time release a lien imposed pursuant to sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code, on all or part of the property of the obligor, or return seized property without liability, if assurance of payment is deemed adequate by the agency, or the release will facilitate the collection of the arrearage for which the lien was imposed. The release or return shall not operate to prevent future action to collect the arrearage.

Section 3123.77 | Liability for support arrearages and related expenses.
 

Any person or state agency, after service described in section 3123.69 of the Revised Code, that releases, sells, transfers, or conveys real or personal property subject to the lien to or for the benefit of the obligor or any other person or fails or refuses to surrender property for the execution sale pursuant to section 3123.74 of the Revised Code shall be liable for the support arrearages that are the basis of the lien plus costs, interest, and reasonable attorney's fees of the opposing party.

Section 3123.78 | Obtaining lien does not affect other remedies.
 

Obtaining a lien under sections 3123.66 to 3123.68 of the Revised Code does not affect any other legal remedies available against obligors or their property by persons entitled to receive child support that is in arrears or otherwise due, including the use of a judgment lien under Chapter 2329. of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.81 | Collecting past-due support from federal tax refunds and overpayments.
 

The office of child support created in the department of job and family services shall work with the secretary of the treasury to collect past-due child support from refunds of paid federal taxes that are payable to the individual who owes the past-due support in accordance with section 664 of Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act," 95 Stat. 860 (1981), 42 U.S.C. 664, as amended. The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to establish procedures necessary to obtain payments of past-due support from federal tax overpayments made to the secretary.

Section 3123.82 | Obligor, overpaid child support defined.
 

As used in sections 3123.82 to 3123.823 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Obligor" means a person who owes "overdue support," as defined in section 666 of Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act," 98 Stat. 1306 (1984), 42 U.S.C. 666, as amended, and any rules promulgated under Title IV-D.

(B) "Overpaid child support" means amounts paid to an obligee under a child support order prior to termination of the child support order that exceed the amount required to be paid under the child support order, have not been impounded under section 3119.90 or 3119.92 of the Revised Code, and have not been repaid to the obligor under the child support order.

Section 3123.821 | Collecting overdue and overpaid support from refunds cooperation.
 

The office of child support created in the department of job and family services under section 3125.02 of the Revised Code shall work with the tax commissioner to collect the following:

(A) Overdue support from refunds of paid state income taxes under Chapter 5747. of the Revised Code that are payable to obligors;

(B) Overpaid child support from refunds of paid state income taxes under Chapter 5747. of the Revised Code that are payable to obligees.

Section 3123.822 | Conditions for collection from refunds.
 

No overdue support or overpaid child support shall be collected from refunds of state income taxes paid by an obligor or obligee unless all of the following conditions are met:

(A) Any reduction authorized by section 5747.12 of the Revised Code has first been made, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(B) The refund payable to the obligor or obligee is not less than twenty-five dollars after any reduction pursuant to section 5747.12 of the Revised Code.

(C) Either of the following applies:

(1) With respect to overdue support, the obligor maintains an arrearage in the payment of support for three months and the amount of the total arrearage during each of the three months is at least one hundred fifty dollars;

(2) With respect to overpaid child support, the amount overpaid is not less than one hundred fifty dollars.

Overdue support or overpaid child support shall be collected from such refunds before any part of the refund is used as a contribution pursuant to section 5747.113 of the Revised Code. Overdue support or overpaid child support shall be collected from such refunds before the refund or any part of the refund is credited against tax due in any subsequent year pursuant to section 5747.12 of the Revised Code, notwithstanding the consent of the obligor or obligee for such crediting.

Section 3123.823 | Adoption of rules.
 

The director of job and family services, in conjunction with the tax commissioner, shall adopt rules, pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, to establish procedures to implement sections 3123.82 to 3123.823 of the Revised Code. These procedures shall embody principles of due process of law, including, but not limited to, notices to interested parties and opportunities to be heard prior to the reduction of any state income tax refund.

Section 3123.85 | Reciprocal agreement with secretary of treasury for administrative offsets.
 

The office of child support may ask the secretary of the treasury for, and may enter into a reciprocal agreement with the secretary to obtain, administrative offsets to collect past due child support amounts in accordance with the "Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996," 110 Stat. 1321, 31 U.S.C. 3716(a) and (h). The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to establish procedures necessary to receive the administrative offsets.

Section 3123.87 | Application of prisoner earnings to defaults.
 

(A) As used in this section, "prison," "prison term," and "jail" have the same meanings as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Notwithstanding any other section of the Revised Code, including sections 5145.16 and 5147.30 of the Revised Code, and except as provided in section 3121.08 of the Revised Code, twenty-five per cent of any money earned pursuant to section 5145.16 or 5147.30 of the Revised Code by a prisoner in a prison or jail who is an obligor in default under a child support order according to the records of the child support enforcement agency administering the order, shall be paid to the office of child support.

Section 3123.88 | Application of unclaimed to defaults.
 

(A) The requirements of this section are effective on the date that all support orders have been converted to the automated data processing system under section 3125.07 of the Revised Code and the office of child support in the department of job and family services authorizes centralized collection and disbursement of support amounts under the support order pursuant to the rules adopted under section 3121.71 of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of commerce shall provide the office no later than the first day of March of each year, the name, address, social security number, if the social security number is available, and any other identifying information for any individual included in a request sent by the office pursuant to division (C) of this section who has unclaimed funds delivered or reported to the state under Chapter 169. of the Revised Code.

(C) The office shall, no later than the first day of February of each year, send to the director of commerce a request containing the name, address, and social security number of all obligors in default under a support order being administered by a child support enforcement agency of this state and requests that the director provide information to the office as required in division (B) of this section. If the information the director provides identifies or results in identifying unclaimed funds held by the state for an obligor in default, the office shall file a claim under section 169.08 of the Revised Code to recover the unclaimed funds. If the director allows the claim, the director shall pay the claim directly to the office. The director shall not disallow a claim made by the office because the office is not the owner of the unclaimed funds according to the report made pursuant to section 169.03 of the Revised Code.

(D) The director of job and family services, in consultation with the department of commerce, may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to aid in implementation of this section.

Section 3123.89 | Intercept directive issued to lottery commission where winner in default.
 

(A) The department of job and family services shall develop and implement a real time data match program with the state lottery commission and its lottery sales agents and lottery agents to identify obligors who are subject to a final and enforceable determination of default made under sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code.

(B) Upon the data match program's implementation, the department, in consultation with the commission, shall promulgate rules to facilitate withholding, in appropriate circumstances and in accordance with section 3770.071 of the Revised Code, by the commission or its lottery sales agents or lottery agents of an amount sufficient to satisfy any past due support owed by an obligor from a lottery prize award owed to the obligor up to the amount of the award. The rules shall describe an expedited method for withholding, and the time frame for transmission of the amount withheld to the department.

(C) As used in this section, "lottery prize award" has the same meaning as in section 3770.10 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 11:53 AM

Section 3123.90 | Withholding from casino and sports gaming winnings.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Casino facility," "casino operator," and "management company" have the meanings defined in section 3772.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Sports gaming proprietor" has the meaning defined in section 3775.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of job and family services shall develop and implement a real time data match program with each casino facility's casino operator or management company and with each sports gaming proprietor to identify obligors who are subject to a final and enforceable determination of default made under sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code.

(C) Upon the data match program's implementation, if a person receives a payout of winnings at a casino facility or from sports gaming in an amount for which reporting to the internal revenue service of the amount is required by section 6041 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, the casino operator, management company, or sports gaming proprietor shall refer to the data match program to determine if the person entitled to the winnings is in default under a support order. If the data match program indicates that the person is in default, the casino operator, management company, or sports gaming proprietor shall withhold from the person's winnings an amount sufficient to satisfy any past due support owed by the obligor identified in the data match up to the amount of the winnings.

(D) Not later than fourteen days after withholding the amount, the casino operator, management company, or sports gaming proprietor shall electronically transmit any amount withheld to the department as payment on the support obligation.

(E) The department, in consultation with the Ohio casino control commission, may adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as are necessary for implementation of this section.

Last updated September 19, 2023 at 2:40 PM

Section 3123.91 | Consumer reporting agency defined.
 

As used in sections 3123.91 to 3123.932 of the Revised Code, "consumer reporting agency" means any person that, for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties and that uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports.

Section 3123.92 | Providing determination of default to consumer reporting agency.
 

If a court or child support enforcement agency makes a final and enforceable determination pursuant to sections 3123.01 to 3123.07 of the Revised Code that an obligor is in default under a support order, the child support enforcement agency administering the support order shall contact at least one consumer reporting agency in this state and provide to the consumer reporting agency the obligor's name, address, and social security number or other identification number and any other identifying information concerning the obligor the child support enforcement agency has. A child support enforcement agency shall not charge a consumer reporting agency a fee for information provided by the child support enforcement agency pursuant to this section.

Section 3123.921 | Notice to agency that arrearage has been paid in full.
 

If a child support enforcement agency contacts a consumer reporting agency and if the obligor pays the entire arrearage under the support order that is the basis for the determination of default, both of the following apply:

(A) The obligor may give each consumer reporting agency contacted a written notice that the arrearage has been paid in full and may request that the child support enforcement agency give each consumer reporting agency that was contacted a written confirmation that the arrearage has been paid in full. The consumer reporting agency shall not record the full payment of the obligor's arrearage until the child support enforcement agency confirms the payment.

(B) If the obligor requests that the child support enforcement agency confirm that the arrearage has been paid in full, the child support enforcement agency shall give each consumer reporting agency contacted written confirmation that the arrearage has been paid in full.

Section 3123.93 | Consumer reporting agency may request information concerning support obligation.
 

Any consumer reporting agency may contact the office of child support and request information as to whether a specified person is required to pay support under a support order. The request shall include the person's name, the person's address and social security or other identification number, if known, and any other identifying information relative to the person that is known by the agency.

Section 3123.931 | Review of case registry in response to request.
 

On receipt of the request, the office of child support shall review the case registry created pursuant to section 3121.81 of the Revised Code to determine if the person is required to pay support under a support order.

Section 3123.932 | Report to consumer reporting agency.
 

If the office of child support, on conducting its review, determines that the person is included in the case registry, it shall provide the consumer reporting agency with a report that sets forth the name of the person who is the subject of the request, a statement that the person is required to make support payments under one or more support orders, the name of the courts or child support enforcement agencies that issued the support orders, the counties in which those courts or agencies are located, and whether any of the support orders are being administered by a child support enforcement agency.

Section 3123.95 | Poster program.
 

The office of child support in the department of job and family services shall establish a program to increase child support collections by publishing and distributing a series of posters displaying child support obligors who are delinquent in their support payments.

Section 3123.951 | Submitting names of delinquent obligors.
 

Any child support enforcement agency that chooses to participate in the poster program established by the office of child support may submit names of obligors that meet the criteria in section 3123.952 of the Revised Code to the office. The office shall select obligors to be displayed on a poster from the names submitted by the agencies.

Section 3123.952 | Conditions for including obligors on poster.
 

A child support enforcement agency may submit the name of a delinquent obligor to the office of child support for inclusion on a poster only if all of the following apply:

(A) The obligor is subject to a support order and there has been an attempt to enforce the order through a public notice, a wage withholding order, a lien on property, a financial institution deduction order, or other court-ordered procedures.

(B) The department of job and family services reviewed the obligor's records and confirms the child support enforcement agency's finding that the obligor's name and photograph may be submitted to be displayed on a poster.

(C) The agency does not know or is unable to verify the obligor's whereabouts.

(D) The obligor is not a participant in Ohio works first or the prevention, retention, and contingency program or a recipient of disability financial assistance, supplemental security income, or supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

(E) The child support enforcement agency does not have evidence that the obligor has filed for protection under the federal Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.A. 101, as amended.

(F) The obligee gave written authorization to the agency to display the obligor on a poster.

(G) A legal representative of the agency and a child support enforcement administrator reviewed the case.

(H) The agency is able to submit to the department a description and photograph of the obligor, a statement of the possible locations of the obligor, and any other information required by the department.

Section 3123.953 | Providing photograph and information.
 

When a child support enforcement agency submits the name of an obligor to the office of child support under section 3123.951 of the Revised Code, it also shall submit the photograph and information described in division (H) of section 3123.952 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.954 | Address and personal information not to be provided.
 

A child support enforcement agency shall not submit to the office of child support the address of the obligee or any other personal information about the obligee when the agency submits the name of the obligor under section 3123.951 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.955 | Removing obligor from list.
 

A child support enforcement agency shall determine whether any obligor whose name was submitted to be displayed on a poster has met all the conditions of section 3123.956 of the Revised Code. If it determines that an obligor has done so, it shall give the office of child support notice of its determination. On receipt of the notice from the agency, the office shall remove the obligor from the list of obligors submitted by that agency before making the final selection of obligors for the poster.

Section 3123.956 | Notifying obligor.
 

The office of child support shall send notice to each obligor whose name was submitted to be displayed on the poster created by the office. The notice shall be sent by regular mail to the obligor's last known address and shall state that the obligor may avoid being included on the poster by doing all of the following within ninety days after receipt of the notice:

(A) Make a payment to the office of child support or, pursuant to sections 3125.27 to 3125.30 of the Revised Code, to the child support enforcement agency that is at least equal to the amount of support the obligor is required to pay each month under the support order;

(B) Provide the child support enforcement agency with the obligor's current address;

(C) Provide the agency with evidence from each of the obligor's current employers of the obligor's current wages, salary, and other compensation;

(D) Provide the agency with evidence that the obligor has arranged for withholding from the obligor's wages, salary, or other compensation to pay support and for payment of arrearages.

Section 3123.957 | Contents of poster.
 

Each poster created by the office of child support shall display photographs of, and information about, ten obligors who are liable for support arrearages and whose whereabouts are unknown to child support enforcement agencies. Each poster shall list a toll-free telephone number for the office that may be called to report information regarding the whereabouts of any of the obligors displayed on a poster. The office may include any other information on the poster that it considers appropriate.

Section 3123.958 | Publication and distribution of posters.
 

The office of child support may publish and distribute a set of posters throughout the state annually.

Section 3123.959 | Funding program.
 

The office of child support shall use funds appropriated by the general assembly for child support administration to conduct the poster program under sections 3123.95 to 3123.9510 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.9510 | Adopting rules.
 

In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director of job and family services shall adopt rules for the operation of the poster program established by the office. The rules shall specify the following:

(A) Criteria and procedures for the office to use in reviewing the names of obligors submitted by child support enforcement agencies to be displayed on a poster and in selecting the delinquent obligors to be included on a poster;

(B) Procedures for providing the notice specified in section 3123.956 of the Revised Code;

(C) Any other procedures necessary for the operation of the poster program.

Section 3123.96 | Agency poster program.
 

A child support enforcement agency may establish a program to increase child support collections by publishing and distributing a series of posters displaying child support obligors who are delinquent in their support payments.

Section 3123.961 | Contents of agency poster.
 

Each poster described in section 3123.96 of the Revised Code shall display photographs of, and information about, ten obligors who are liable for support arrearages and whose whereabouts are unknown to the child support enforcement agency. Each poster shall list a toll-free telephone number that may be called to report information regarding the whereabouts of any of the obligors displayed on the poster. The agency may include any other information on the poster that it considers appropriate.

Section 3123.962 | Notifying obligor.
 

A child support enforcement agency shall select obligors for inclusion on a poster from obligors that meet the criteria in section 3123.952 of the Revised Code. The agency shall send notice to each obligor whose name is being considered for display on a poster. The notice shall be sent by regular mail to the obligor's last known address and shall include the information specified in section 3123.956 of the Revised Code.

Section 3123.99 | Penalty.
 

Whoever violates section 3123.20 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars and imprisoned not less than ten nor more than thirty days.