Priority of support judgment or order over other obligations; payroll deductions

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  • (a) A judgment or order entered under this subchapter against any person for the support of a person he or she is found obligated to support pursuant to section 342 of this chapter or pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter shall take priority over all other financial obligations of said person, and shall be enforceable as such by the judgment creditor, provided such judgment is filed pursuant to the requirements of Title 5, section 425 of the Code or of this subchapter.

  • (b) When a judgment is entered against any person for the support of a person, other than his or her own child, that he or she is found obligated to support pursuant to section 342 of this chapter or pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter, the court shall notify, by registered or certified mail, that person's employer, if any, of the entry of that judgment or order. The court may also order the employer to deduct from the employee's salary the amount ordered for support. In the event that person is employed by the Government of the Virgin Islands, the court shall notify the Commissioner of Finance of the entry of that judgment or order. Notification under this section shall constitute legal notice for purposes of this section. An employer shall not discharge or otherwise discipline an employee as a result of a payroll deduction order authorized by this section. Any employee so discharged or disciplined is entitled to the recovery of damages suffered, plus reinstatement, attorney's fees and costs incurred.

  • (c) In garnishment, execution, assignment or similar proceedings, the employer (or Commissioner of Finance) shall satisfy claims against the employee's salary or wages for support of a person he is found obligated to support pursuant to section 342 of this chapter or pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter prior to the satisfaction of any other claim against such compensation.


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