New Law Requires Insurers to Help State Collect Child Support
Beginning November 1, 2007, insurance companies must check with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services before paying any claim of $500.00 or more. If the claimant owes child support, any amounts owed must be subtracted from any amounts paid to the claimant. The child support lien is inferior to any lien or claim for 1. Services and expenses documented and related to the claim, such as attorney fees or health care expenses; 2. Damage to or a loss of real property; or 3. Damage to or a loss of a motor vehicle to the extent that it would be exempt from claims of general creditors pursuant to Section 1 of Title 31 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Failure to clear the payment with the State of Oklahoma can result in both fines and imprisonment. The statute is 56 O.S. § 237B
