Chapter 49

49.85 History History: 1993 a. 437; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2143 to 2157, 3212, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); Stats. 1995 s. 49.85; 1995 a. 289; 1997 a. 3; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20 ss. 1685 to 1694, 9121 (6) (a); 2013 a. 20; 2013 a. 173 s. 33; 2015 a. 55.

49.85 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 2, Wis. adm. code.

49.852 49.852 Delinquent support payments; pension plans.

49.852(1c) (1c) In this section, “department” means the department of children and families.

49.852(1m) (1m) The department may direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b) from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid a delinquent support obligor, except that the department may not direct that an amount be withheld under this subsection unless it has met the notice requirements under sub. (2) and unless the amount specified has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal under s. 49.854.

49.852(2) (2) The department shall send a notice to the last-known address of the person from whom the department intends to recover the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b). The notice shall do all of the following:

49.852(2)(a) (a) Inform the person that the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, shall withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b) from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.

49.852(2)(b) (b) Inform the person that he or she may, within 20 business days after the date of the notice, request a court hearing on the issue of whether the person owes the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b). The request shall be in writing and the person shall mail or deliver a copy of the request to the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).

49.852(2)(c) (c) Request that the person inform the department or the appropriate county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) if a bankruptcy stay is in effect with respect to the person.

49.852(3) (3) If a person has requested a hearing pursuant to sub. (2) (b), the hearing shall be conducted before the circuit court that rendered the initial order to pay support. The court shall schedule a hearing within 10 business days after receiving a request for a hearing. A circuit court commissioner may conduct the hearing. If the court determines that the person owes the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department may direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, to withhold the amount from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person. If the court determines that the person does not owe the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department may not direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, to withhold the amount from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.

49.852(4) (4) 

49.852(4)(a) (a) If the department directs the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), this directive shall constitute a lien, equal to the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket, on any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.

49.852(4)(b) (b) If the department directs the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan shall deduct from any lump sum payment that may be paid the person the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket, less any amount specified under par. (d). If the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), less any amount specified under par. (d), exceeds the lump sum payment, the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan shall deduct the entire lump sum payment, less any withholdings otherwise required by law. The amount deducted under this paragraph shall be remitted to the department.

49.852(4)(c) (c) A directive to the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b) under this section does not prohibit the department from attempting to recover the amount through other legal means.

49.852(4)(d) (d) The department shall promptly notify the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan upon recovery of any amount previously specified in the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b).

49.852 History History: 1997 a. 191; 2001 a. 61; 2007 a. 20.

49.853 49.853 Financial record matching program.

49.853(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.853(1)(a) (a) “Account” means a demand deposit account, checking or negotiable withdrawal order account, savings account, time deposit account or money market mutual fund account.

49.853(1)(am) (am) “County child support agency” means the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).

49.853(1)(b) (b) “Department” means the department of children and families.

49.853(1)(c) (c) “Financial institution” means any of the following:

49.853(1)(c)1. 1. A depository institution, as defined in 12 USC 1813 (c).

49.853(1)(c)2. 2. An institution-affiliated party, as defined in 12 USC 1813 (u), of a depository institution under subd. 1.

49.853(1)(c)3. 3. A federal credit union or state credit union, as defined in 12 USC 1752.

49.853(1)(c)4. 4. An institution-affiliated party, as defined in 12 USC 1786 (r), of a credit union under subd. 3.

49.853(1)(c)5. 5. A benefit association, insurance company, safe deposit company, money market mutual fund or similar entity authorized to do business in this state.

49.853(1)(c)6. 6. A broker-dealer, as defined in s. 551.102 (4).

49.853(1)(d) (d) “Obligor” has the meaning given in s. 49.854 (1) (d).

49.853(1)(dm) (dm) “Ownership interest” has the meaning specified by the department by rule.

49.853(1)(e) (e) “Support” has the meaning given in s. 49.854 (1) (f).

49.853(2) (2) Financial record matching program and agreements. The department shall operate a financial record matching program under this section. The department shall promulgate rules specifying procedures under which the department shall enter into agreements with financial institutions doing business in this state to operate the financial record matching program under this section. The agreement shall require the financial institution to participate in the financial record matching program under this section by electing either the financial institution matching option under sub. (3) or the state matching option under sub. (4). The department shall reimburse a financial institution up to $125 per quarter for participating in the financial record matching program under this section.

49.853(3) (3) Financial institution matching option.

49.853(3)(a) (a) If a financial institution with which the department has an agreement under sub. (2) elects to use the financial institution matching option under this subsection, the department shall provide a financial institution with information regarding delinquent obligors. The information shall be provided at least once each calendar quarter and shall include the obligor’s name and social security number. The information shall be provided to the financial institution in the manner specified by rule or by agreement. To the extent feasible, the information required under this paragraph shall be provided to the financial institution by an automated data exchange.

49.853(3)(b) (b) Each financial institution receiving information under par. (a) shall take actions necessary to determine whether any obligor has an ownership interest in an account maintained at the financial institution. If the financial institution determines that an obligor has an ownership interest in an account at the financial institution, the financial institution shall provide the department with a notice containing the obligor’s name, address of record, social security number or other taxpayer identification number, and account information. The information regarding the obligor’s account shall include the account number, the account type, the nature of the obligor’s ownership interest in the account, and the balance of the account at the time that the record match is made. The notice under this paragraph shall be provided in the manner specified by rule or agreement. To the extent feasible, the notice required under this paragraph shall be provided to the department by an automated data exchange.

49.853(3)(c) (c) The financial institution participating in the financial institution matching option under this subsection, and the employees, agents, officers and directors of the financial institution, may use the information provided by the department under par. (a) only for the purpose of matching records under par. (b). Neither the financial institution nor any employee, agent, officer or director of the financial institution may disclose or retain information provided under par. (a) concerning obligors who do not have an interest in an account maintained at the financial institution. Any person who violates this paragraph may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $500 or imprisoned in the county jail for not less than 10 days nor more than one year or both.

49.853(4) (4) State matching option.

49.853(4)(a) (a) If a financial institution with which the department has an agreement under sub. (2) elects to use the state matching option under this subsection, the financial institution shall provide the department with information concerning all accounts maintained at the financial institution at least once each calendar quarter. For each account maintained at the financial institution, the financial institution shall notify the department of the name and social security number or other tax identification number of each person having an ownership interest in the account, together with a description of each person’s interest. The information required under this paragraph shall be provided in the manner specified by rule or agreement. To the extent feasible, the notice required under this paragraph shall be provided to the department by an automated data exchange.

49.853(4)(b) (b) The department shall take actions necessary to determine whether any obligor has an ownership interest in an account maintained at a financial institution providing information under par. (a). Upon the request of the department, the financial institution shall provide the department, for each obligor who matches information provided by the financial institution under par. (a), the obligor’s address of record, the obligor’s account number and account type and the balance of the account.

49.853(4)(c) (c) The department may use the information provided by a financial institution under pars. (a) and (b) only for the purpose of matching records under par. (b). The department may not disclose or retain information received under pars. (a) and (b) concerning account holders who are not delinquent obligors.

49.853(4)(d) (d) A financial institution participating in the state matching option under this subsection, and the employees, agents, officers and directors of the financial institution, may use any information that is provided by the department in requesting additional information under par. (b) only for the purpose of administering s. 49.22 or for the purpose of providing the additional information. Any person who violates this paragraph may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $500 or imprisoned in the county jail for not less than 10 days nor more than one year or both.

49.853(5) (5) Delegation. The department may delegate any powers and duties given to the department under this section to county child support agencies. The department may require financial institutions to provide county child support agencies with any notices that are required under this section to be provided to the department.

49.853 History History: 1997 a. 191; 2001 a. 16; 2007 a. 20, 196.

49.853 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DCF 152, Wis. adm. code.

49.854 49.854 Liens against property for delinquent support payments.

49.854(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.854(1)(a) (a) “Department” means the department of children and families.

49.854(1)(b) (b) “County child support agency” means the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).

49.854(1)(c) (c) “Levy” means all powers of distraint and seizure.

49.854(1)(d) (d) “Obligor” means a person who is obligated to pay court-ordered support.

49.854(1)(e) (e) “Property” includes accounts at financial institutions, personal property and real property, tangible and intangible property and rights to property, but is limited to property and rights of the obligor to property existing at the time of levy.

49.854(1)(f) (f) “Support” means any of the following:

49.854(1)(f)1. 1. Child or family support.

49.854(1)(f)2. 2. Maintenance.

49.854(1)(f)3. 3. Medical expenses of a child.

49.854(1)(f)4. 4. Birth expenses.

49.854(1)(f)5. 5. Any accrued interest on delinquent amounts under subds. 1. to 4.

49.854(2) (2) Creation of lien; satisfaction.

49.854(2)(a) (a) Creation. If a person obligated to pay support fails to pay any court-ordered amount of support, that amount becomes a lien in favor of the department upon all property of the person. The lien becomes effective when the information is entered in the statewide support lien docket under par. (b) and that docket is delivered to the register of deeds in the county where the property is located. A lien created under this paragraph is not effective against a good-faith purchaser of titled personal property, unless the lien is recorded on that title.

49.854(2)(b) (b) Statewide support lien docket. The department shall maintain a statewide support lien docket. The department shall provide a copy of the statewide support lien docket to the register of deeds and the county child support agency of each county in this state, and to each state agency that titles personal property. Each entry in the statewide support lien docket shall contain the name and the social security number of the obligor and the date that the lien is entered in the docket, as well as the amount of the lien as of the time that the entry is made.

49.854(2)(c) (c) Updating the statewide support lien docket. The department shall update the statewide support lien docket in response to orders issued by a court or circuit court commissioner. The department shall periodically update the statewide support lien docket to reflect changes in the amounts of the liens contained in the docket.

49.854(2)(d) (d) Amount of lien; satisfaction. The amount of any support obligation that is a lien under this subsection may be determined by requesting that information from the county child support agency or the register of deeds, as specified by the department. Payment of the full amount that is delinquent at the time of payment to that county child support agency extinguishes that lien. Upon request, the county child support agency shall furnish to the payer of the delinquent amount a satisfaction of lien showing that the amount of support owed has been paid in full and that the person no longer owes the delinquent amount. The satisfaction of lien may be recorded in the office of the register of deeds for any county in which real or personal property of the person who owed the support is located.

49.854(3) (3) Notification and appeal of lien.

49.854(3)(a) (a) Notice. When a delinquent support obligation is included in the statewide support lien docket, the department shall provide notice to the obligor that a lien exists with respect to the delinquent support obligation. The notice shall include the amount of the delinquent child support obligation and shall inform the obligor that the lien is in effect. The notice shall inform the obligor of the obligor’s right to request a financial records and court order review under par. (ag) and the obligor’s right to request a court hearing under par. (ar). The notice under this paragraph shall also inform the obligor that the department will not take actions to enforce the lien if the obligor pays the delinquent amount in full or makes satisfactory alternative payment arrangements with the department or a county child support agency. The notice shall inform the individual of how he or she may pay the delinquent amount or make satisfactory alternative payment arrangements.

49.854(3)(ag) (ag) Financial records and court order review.

49.854(3)(ag)1. 1. Within 10 business days of the date of the notice under par. (a), the obligor may file a written request for a financial records and court order review with the county child support agency. If the obligor makes a timely request for a financial records and court order review under this paragraph, the department shall hold the review as soon as practicable, but in no event to exceed 60 days after the date of the request. The department shall conduct the financial records and court order review at no charge to the obligor. As soon as practicable after conducting the financial records and court order review, the department shall make a determination regarding whether the amount of the delinquency contained in the notice is correct and shall provide a copy of the determination to the obligor. If the department determines that the amount of the delinquency is incorrect, the department shall take appropriate actions to correct the inaccuracy. The notice of the determination shall include information regarding the obligor’s right to request a review of the determination under subd. 2.

49.854(3)(ag)2. 2. If the obligor disagrees with the determination of the department, the obligor may request a hearing with the court or a circuit court commissioner to review the department’s determination. To request a hearing under this subdivision, the obligor shall make the request within 5 business days of the date of the department’s determination under subd. 1. The obligor shall make the request in writing and shall mail or deliver a copy of the request to the county child support agency. If a timely request for a hearing is made under this subdivision, the court or circuit court commissioner shall hold the hearing within 15 business days of the request. If, at the hearing, the obligor establishes that the lien is not proper because of a mistake of fact, the court or circuit court commissioner shall order the department to remove the lien from the statewide support lien docket or adjust the amount of the delinquent obligation.

49.854(3)(ar) (ar) Direct appeal. If the obligor has not requested a financial records and court order review under par. (ag), the obligor may request a hearing under this paragraph within 20 business days of the date of the notice under par. (a). The obligor shall make the request in writing and shall mail or deliver a copy of the request to the county child support agency. If a timely request for a hearing is made under this paragraph, the court or circuit court commissioner shall schedule a hearing within 10 days after the date of the request. If, at the hearing, the obligor establishes that the lien is not proper because of a mistake of fact, the court or circuit court commissioner shall order the department to remove the lien from the statewide support lien docket or adjust the amount of the delinquent obligation.

49.854(3)(b) (b) Appeal. If a circuit court commissioner conducts a hearing under par. (ag) or (ar), the department or the obligor may, within 15 business days after the date of the decision by the circuit court commissioner, request review of the decision by the court having jurisdiction over the action. The court conducting the review may order that the lien be withdrawn from the statewide support lien dockets or may order an adjustment of the amount of the delinquent obligation. If no appeal is sought or if the court does not order the withdrawal of the lien, the department may take appropriate actions to enforce the lien.

49.854(4) (4) Powers of levy and distraint; generally. If any obligor neglects or refuses to pay the support owed by the obligor after the department has made demand for payment, the department may collect that support and the levy fees and costs under sub. (11) by levy upon any property belonging to the obligor as provided in subs. (5) to (7). Whenever the value of any property that has been levied upon under this subsection is not sufficient to satisfy the claim of the department, the department may levy upon any additional property of the obligor until the support owed and levy costs are fully paid.

49.854(5) (5) Levying against financial accounts.

49.854(5)(a) (a) Definitions. In this subsection:

49.854(5)(a)1. 1. “Account” has the meaning given in s. 49.853 (1) (a).

49.854(5)(a)2. 2. “Financial institution” has the meaning given in s. 49.853 (1) (c).

49.854(5)(a)3. 3. “Lien” means a lien under this section or a lien in favor of another state based on a support obligation, including a lien placed under s. 769.305 (2) (g).

49.854(5)(b) (b) Notice to the financial institution. To enforce a lien by levying against an account at a financial institution, the department shall send a notice of levy to the financial institution instructing the financial institution to prohibit the closing of or withdrawals from one or more accounts that the obligor owns in whole or in part, up to a total amount that is sufficient to pay the support owed, financial institution fees under par. (e), and estimated levy fees and costs under sub. (11), until further notice from the department or a court. The financial institution shall comply with the notice of levy and shall hold the amount specified in the notice until the financial institution receives further instructions from the department or a court.

49.854(5)(c) (c) Liens in favor of other states.

49.854(5)(c)1. 1. Notwithstanding par. (b), if a lien under par. (b) is in favor of another state, the notice sent by the department to the financial institution may consist of the request from the other state to enforce the lien, a certification by the department that any necessary due process requirements were met in the other state, a request that the financial institution honor the request from the other state by sending the amount specified in the request directly to the other state, and the address to which the financial institution shall send the funds.

49.854(5)(c)2. 2. If a financial institution receives directly from another state, or a child support agency in another state, a notice of levy or request to enforce a lien in favor of that other state, along with a certification by the other state that any necessary due process requirements were met in the other state, the financial institution shall honor the notice of levy or request from the other state by sending the amount specified in the notice of levy or request, up to the amount contained in the account or accounts minus any financial institution fee under par. (e) and levy fee under sub. (11) (a), directly to the other state at the address to which the financial institution is directed to send the funds in the notice or request.

49.854(5)(c)3. 3. Notice and hearing requirements under pars. (d) and (f) do not apply to a lien in favor of another state.

49.854(5)(d) (d) Notice to the obligor and certain others. No later than the next business day after the department sends notice of levy to the financial institution under par. (b), the department shall send a copy of the notice of levy to the obligor. The department shall also send a copy of the notice of levy to any other person who has an ownership interest in the account. The notices required under this paragraph shall be in the form determined by the department, however the notice shall include language stating all of the following:

49.854(5)(d)1. 1. That the obligor has been certified as delinquent in paying support.

49.854(5)(d)2. 2. The amount of the support owed.

49.854(5)(d)3. 3. The financial institution to which the department sent the notice under par. (b).

49.854(5)(d)4. 4. That one or more accounts owned in whole or in part by the obligor at the financial institution have been frozen, up to a total amount that is sufficient pay the support owed, the department’s levy costs and financial institution fees.

49.854(5)(d)6. 6. That the obligor may request a hearing within 20 business days after the date of the notice, by submitting the request in writing and by mailing or delivering a copy of the request to the county child support agency.

49.854(5)(d)6m. 6m. That a person, other than the obligor, who holds the account jointly with the obligor may request a hearing within 20 business days after the date of the notice, to protect the portion of the jointly held account that is attributable to his or her net contributions to the jointly held account.

49.854(5)(d)7. 7. The address to which the request for hearing must be mailed or delivered in order to schedule a hearing.

49.854(5)(e) (e) Financial institution fees. A financial institution may continue to collect fees, under the terms of the account agreement, on accounts frozen or levied against under this subsection. In addition to the levy fee authorized under sub. (11) (a), a financial institution may collect any early withdrawal penalty incurred under the terms of an account as a result of the levy. Financial institution fees authorized under this paragraph may be charged to the account immediately prior to the remittance of the amount to the department or the other state and may be charged even if the amounts in the obligor’s accounts are insufficient to pay the total amount of support owed and the department’s levy costs under sub. (11) (b).