Federal law requires immediate income withholding in most support orders. Employers must remit within a defined period and face liability for failure to withhold, and limits cap the percentage of disposable earnings.
The order operates across state lines without registration.
Alternative Names:
Wage Garnishment (Support)|IWO
Why it Matters?
Employer liability for failure to withhold makes compliance a direct exposure rather than a courtesy, since an employer that ignored a valid order may owe the amounts it should have withheld. Consumer Credit Protection Act limits cap withholding between fifty and sixty-five percent of disposable earnings depending on circumstances, which means arrearage collection may extend well beyond the current obligation period.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is the employer's exposure?
What limits apply?
