Legal Definitions - interstate income-withholding order

An interstate income-withholding order is a legal directive issued by a court in one state to enforce a financial support obligation (such as child support or spousal support) that was originally established by a court in a different state. This order compels an employer or other income source to deduct a specified amount directly from the obligated person's earnings and send it to the recipient, ensuring the support payments are made even when the parties involved reside in different states.

Here are some examples illustrating how an interstate income-withholding order works:

• Example 1: Child Support Across State Lines

  Maria lives in Oregon with her two children. Her ex-husband, John, was ordered by an Oregon court to pay child support. John later moved to Washington State for a new job and began to fall behind on his payments. To ensure consistent support, Maria can ask the Oregon court to issue an interstate income-withholding order. This order would then be sent to Washington, where a Washington court would recognize and enforce it, directing John's employer in Washington to deduct the child support amount directly from his paycheck and send it to Maria in Oregon.

• Example 2: Spousal Support After Relocation

  After their divorce, a Texas court ordered Robert to pay spousal support to his ex-wife, Lisa, who continues to live in Texas. Robert subsequently relocated to Colorado and secured employment there. When Robert stopped making the required spousal support payments, Lisa could petition the Texas court for an interstate income-withholding order. This order would then be transmitted to Colorado, where a Colorado court would issue a corresponding directive to Robert's employer, mandating the deduction of spousal support from his wages and its remittance to Lisa in Texas.