Military Child Support/Alimony Garnishment Procedures

How can I collect the child support/alimony, which my ex-spouse was ordered to provide in our divorce decree or separation agreement?

For child support, you might want to contact either an attorney, or your local child support enforcement agency in order to obtain an Income Deduction Order or Income Withholding Order. For alimony, you might want to contact an attorney to obtain a garnishment. In order to collect the support/alimony you were ordered to receive, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Cleveland Center, Garnishment Operations Directorate needs an order from a court or child support agency that directs the government to pay monies for support or alimony. You do not need to send the underlying order, (e.g., a divorce/separation decree).

As a child support enforcement worker, how can I collect the fees to which my agency is entitled for processing child support income withholding orders?

Federal law recently amended the definition of "child support" to include such items as court costs, administrative fees, and attorneys fees so those items can now be collected if the withholding order directs as such.

Can I collect a child support/alimony arrearage?

Yes, if the withholding order directs the collection of an arrearage. The arrearage will be paid within the limits the law allows, as discussed below.

The non-custodial parent has been ordered to provide health insurance coverage for our child. How can I enforce that order?

You should send a copy of the order directing the provision of coverage to the non-custodial parent's personnel office. Do not send these orders to the Garnishment Directorate at the Cleveland Center as we cannot...read more about military garnishment