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How does a child support lien affect my PA Workers’ Compensation case?

  • Owner
  • 08/06/2018

If a judge awards you workers’ compensation benefits – there is a decision in your favor or a settlement is approved – and you owe money for back child support, these arrearages will need to be satisfied before you receive your benefits. With the help of your workers’ comp lawyer Philadelphia at Pearson Koutcher Law, you can get the workers’ compensation you deserve.

Child Support Arrearages and Benefits

If you are awarded Workers’ Compensation benefits through a favorable decision or an approved settlement, any existing back child support arrearages must be settled before you receive your benefits.

Verifying Arrearages

Pennsylvania has a child support website, which will reveal if you have arrearages based on your date of birth and social security number. You must also be required to complete an affidavit, hemming whether or not there is an outstanding child support order against you, and whether there are arrearages. You must also verify your date of birth, social security number, and mailing address.

Impact on Workers’ Compensation Settlement

Suppose the website reveals that you have arrearages of $7,000 and that you enter into a settlement of your workers’ compensation case for $50,000 with 20 percent deducted for workers’ comp lawyer Philadelphia fees. Normally, you would receive $40,000, but because of the arrearages, they will be deducted, leaving you with $33,000.

What is a non-disbursement order?

If you have arrearages, depending on the amount and the county in which you have the outstanding child support order, the family court may enter a “non-disbursement order.” This means that any money in your workers’ compensation case cannot be disbursed to you until this order has been vacated by the court. Once your settlement is approved by the workers’ compensation judge, or the judge issues a decision granting you benefits, your workers’ compensation lawyer Philadelphia PA will have to contact the family court and take steps to ensure that the non-disbursement order is vacated. In some counties, the family court may also require you to pay part of your award for workers’ compensation benefits to cover future child support payments so that you don’t fall behind on your monthly payments.

Exception for Smaller Settlement Amounts

There is one exception to the requirement that a child support lien on insurance settlement and lien search must be submitted to the workers’ compensation judge. This is if you receive $5,000 or less as a result of a settlement of your claim or a favorable decision by the judge.

Legal Support and Resolution for Non-Disbursement Order

Regardless of your child support situation, if you sustain a work-related injury, seeking prompt legal guidance is crucial. Pearson Koutcher Law specializes in workers’ compensation cases, offering expertise to guide you through the entire process. If a non-disbursement order is in place, the firm will work to have it vacated. This ensures you receive your entitled benefits once arrearages are settled. To learn more about our services or to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer Philadelphia PA, contact us today.

Contact Pearson Koutcher Law for Workers’ Compensation Benefits and More

Balancing child support arrearages and Workers’ Compensation benefits requires careful navigation of legal processes. By understanding a non-disbursement order, child support lien on insurance settlement, and the interaction between arrearages and settlements, individuals can work towards a successful resolution. In such matters, seeking professional legal assistance with a workers’ comp lawyer Philadelphia makes all the difference in ensuring the protection of your rights and entitlements. To learn more about the services offered at Pearson Koutcher Law, contact just today!