2012 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 552. SUPPORT JUDGMENT DEBTS; SUMMARY EXECUTION

552.01 DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1.Scope.

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2.Public authority.

"Public authority" means the public authority responsible for child support enforcement.

Subd. 3.Judgment debtor.

"Judgment debtor" means an obligor against whom the public authority has a judgment for the recovery of money owed pursuant to a support order as defined in section 518A.26, subdivision 21.

Subd. 4.Third party.

"Third party" means the person or entity upon whom the execution levy is served.

Subd. 5.Claim.

"Claim" means the unpaid balance of the public authority's judgment against the judgment debtor, including all lawful interest and costs incurred.

Subd. 6.Financial institution.

"Financial institution" means all entities identified in section 13B.06.

Subd. 7.Judgment.

"Judgment" means a child support judgment by operation of law under section 548.091, subdivision 1a, or under a proceeding under section 548.091, subdivision 2a.

History:

1997 c 203 art 6 s 85; 2000 c 458 s 8,9; 2005 c 164 s 29; 1Sp2005 c 7 s 28

552.02 PUBLIC AUTHORITY'S SUMMARY EXECUTION OF SUPPORT JUDGMENT DEBTS; WHEN AUTHORIZED.

The public authority may execute on a money judgment resulting from money owed pursuant to a support order by levying under this chapter on indebtedness owed to the judgment debtor by a third party. The public authority may execute under this chapter upon service of a notice of support judgment levy for which the seal of the court is not required.

History:

1997 c 203 art 6 s 86

552.03 SCOPE OF GENERAL AND SPECIFIC PROVISIONS.

General provisions relating to the public authority's summary execution as authorized in this chapter are set forth in section 552.04. Specific provisions relating to summary execution on funds at a financial institution are set forth in section 552.06. When the public authority levies against funds at a financial institution, the specific provisions of section 552.06 must be complied with in addition to the general provisions of section 552.04 that are not inconsistent with the specific provisions of section 552.06. Provisions contained in the statutory forms are incorporated in this chapter and have the same force of law as any other provisions in this chapter.

History:

1997 c 203 art 6 s 87; 2000 c 458 s 10

552.04 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Subdivision 1.Rules of Civil Procedure.

Unless this chapter specifically provides otherwise, the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure for the district courts and chapter 518A apply in all proceedings under this chapter.

Subd. 2.Property attachable by service of levy.

Subject to the exemptions provided by subdivision 3 and section 550.37, and any other applicable statute, to the extent the exemptions apply in cases of child support enforcement, the service by the public authority of a notice of support judgment levy under this chapter attaches all nonexempt indebtedness or money due or belonging to the judgment debtor and owing by the third party or in the possession or under the control of the third party at the time of service of the notice of support judgment levy, whether or not the indebtedness or money has become payable. The third party shall not be compelled to pay or deliver the same before the time specified by any agreement unless the agreement was fraudulently contracted to defeat an execution levy or other collection remedy.

Subd. 3.Property not attachable.

The following property is not subject to attachment by a notice of support judgment levy served under this chapter:

(1) any indebtedness or money due to the judgment debtor, unless at the time of the service of the notice of support judgment levy the same is due absolutely or does not depend upon any contingency;

(2) any judgment owing by the third party to the judgment debtor, if the third party or the third party's property is liable on an execution levy upon the judgment;

(3) any debt owing by the third party to the judgment debtor for which any negotiable instrument has been issued or endorsed by the third party;

(4) any indebtedness or money due to the judgment debtor with a cumulative value of less than $10; and

(5) any disposable earnings, indebtedness, or money that is exempt under state or federal law to the extent the exemptions apply in cases of child support enforcement.

Subd. 4.Notice and disclosure forms.

When levying upon money owed to the judgment debtor by a third party, the public authority shall serve a copy of the notice of support judgment levy upon the third party either by registered or certified mail, by personal service, or by electronic transmission. Along with a copy of the notice of support judgment levy, the public authority shall serve upon the third party a notice of support judgment levy and disclosure form that must be substantially in the form set forth below.

				DISTRICT COURT
					File No. .
.	(Public authority)
against				NOTICE OF SUPPORT JUDGMENT
.	(Judgment Debtor)			LEVY AND DISCLOSURE
and				(OTHER THAN EARNINGS)
.	(Third Party)

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapters 518 and 552, the undersigned, as representative of the public authority responsible for child support enforcement, makes demand and levies execution upon all money due and owing by you to the judgment debtor for the amount of the judgment specified below. A copy of the notice of support judgment levy is enclosed. The unpaid judgment balance is $......

In responding to this levy, you are to complete the attached disclosure form and mail it to the public authority, together with your check payable to the public authority, for the nonexempt amount owed by you to the judgment debtor or for which you are obligated to the judgment debtor, within the time limits in chapter 552.

	Public Authority
	Address
	( . )
	Phone number

DISCLOSURE

On the ... day of ......, ......., the time of service of the execution levy herein, there was due and owing the judgment debtor from the third party the following:

(1) Money. Enter on the line below any amounts due and owing the judgment debtor, except earnings, from the third party.

.

(2) Setoff. Enter on the line below the amount of any setoff, defense, lien, or claim which the third party claims against the amount set forth on line (1). State the facts by which the setoff, defense, lien, or claim is claimed. (Any indebtedness to you incurred by the judgment debtor within ten days prior to the receipt of the first execution levy on a debt may not be claimed as a setoff, defense, lien, or claim against the amount set forth on line (1)).

.

(3) Exemption. Financial institutions shall not complete this line. Enter on the line below any amounts or property claimed by the judgment debtor to be exempt from execution.

.

(4) Adverse Interest. Enter on the line below any amounts claimed by other persons by reason of ownership or interest in the judgment debtor's property.

.

(5) Enter on the line below the total of lines (2), (3), and (4).

.

(6) Enter on the line below the difference obtained (never less than zero when line (5) is subtracted from the amount on line (1)).

.

(7) Enter on the line below 100 percent of the amount of the public authority's claim which remains unpaid.

.

(8) Enter on the line below the lesser of line (6) and line (7). You are instructed to remit this amount only if it is $10 or more.

.

AFFIRMATION

I, .......... (person signing Affirmation), am the third party or I am authorized by the third party to complete this nonearnings disclosure, and have done so truthfully and to the best of my knowledge.

Dated: .		.
		Signature
		.
		Title
		.
		Telephone Number

Subd. 5.Third-party disclosure and remittance.

Within 15 days after receipt of the notice of support judgment levy, unless governed by section 552.06, the third party shall disclose and remit to the public authority as much of the amount due as the third party's own debt equals to the judgment debtor.

Subd. 6.Oral disclosure.

Before or after the service of a written disclosure by a third party under subdivision 5, upon a showing by affidavit upon information and belief that an oral examination of the third party would provide a complete disclosure of relevant facts, any party to the execution proceedings may obtain an ex parte order requiring the third party, or a representative of the third party designated by name or by title, to appear for oral examination before the court. Notice of the examination must be given to all parties. This subdivision does not apply to financial institutions complying with section 552.06.

Subd. 7.Supplemental complaint.

If a third party holds property, money, earnings, or other indebtedness by a title that is void as to the judgment debtor's creditors, the property may be levied on although the judgment debtor would be barred from maintaining an action to recover the property, money, earnings, or other indebtedness. In this and all other cases where the third party denies liability, the public authority may move the court at any time before the third party is discharged, on notice to both the judgment debtor and the third party for an order making the third party a party to supplemental action and granting the public authority leave to file a supplemental complaint against the third party and the judgment debtor. The supplemental complaint shall set forth the facts upon which the public authority claims to charge the third party. If probable cause is shown, the motion shall be granted. The supplemental complaint shall be served upon the third party and the judgment debtor and any other parties. The parties served shall answer or respond pursuant to the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure for the district courts, and if they fail to do so, judgment by default may be entered against them.

Subd. 8.Judgment against third party upon failure to disclose or remit.

Judgment may be entered against a third party who has been served with a notice of support judgment levy and fails to disclose or remit the levied funds as required in this chapter. Upon order to show cause served on the third party and notice of motion supported by affidavit of facts and affidavit of service upon both the judgment debtor and third party, the court may render judgment against the third party for an amount not exceeding 100 percent of the amount claimed in the execution. Judgment against the third party under this section shall not bar the public authority from further remedies under this chapter as a result of any subsequent defaults by the third party. The court upon good cause shown may remove the default and permit the third party to disclose or remit on just terms.

Subd. 9.Satisfaction.

Upon expiration, the public authority making the execution may file a partial satisfaction by amount or, if applicable, shall file the total satisfaction with the court administrator without charge.

Subd. 10.Third-party good faith requirement.

The third party is not liable to the judgment debtor, public authority, or other person for wrongful retention if the third party retains or remits disposable earnings, indebtedness, or money of the judgment debtor or any other person, pending the third party's disclosure or consistent with the disclosure the third party makes, if the third party has a good faith belief that the property retained or remitted is subject to the execution. In addition, the third party may, at any time before or after disclosure, proceed under Rule 67 of the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure to make deposit into court. No third party is liable for damages if the third party complies with the provisions of this chapter.

Subd. 11.Bad faith claim.

If, in a proceeding to determine a claim of exemption, the claim of exemption is not upheld, and the court finds that it was asserted in bad faith, the public authority shall be awarded actual damages, costs, reasonable attorney fees resulting from the additional proceedings, and an amount not to exceed $100. If the claim of exemption is upheld, and the court finds that the public authority disregarded the claim of exemption in bad faith, the judgment debtor shall be awarded actual damages, costs, reasonable attorney fees resulting from the additional proceedings, and an amount not to exceed $100. If the exemption claim of the judgment debtor is found to be in bad faith, the underlying judgment shall be modified to reflect assessment of damages, costs, and attorney fees. However, if the party in whose favor a penalty assessment is made is not actually indebted to that party's attorney for fees, the attorney fee award shall be made directly to the attorney, and if not paid, an appropriate judgment in favor of the attorney shall be entered. Any action by a public authority made in bad faith and in violation of this chapter renders the execution levy void and the public authority liable to the judgment debtor named in the execution levy in the amount of $100, actual damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs.

Subd. 12.Discharge of a third party.

Subject to subdivisions 6 and 13, the third party, after disclosure, shall be discharged of any further obligation to the public authority when one of the following conditions is met:

(a) The third party discloses that the third party is not indebted to the judgment debtor or does not possess any earnings, property, money, or indebtedness belonging to the judgment debtor that is attachable as defined in subdivision 2. The disclosure is conclusive against the public authority and discharges the third party from any further obligation to the public authority other than to retain and remit all nonexempt disposable earnings, property, indebtedness, or money of the judgment debtor which was disclosed.

(b) The third party discloses that the third party is indebted to the judgment debtor as indicated on the execution disclosure form. The disclosure is conclusive against the public authority and discharges the third party from any further obligation to the public authority other than to retain and remit all nonexempt disposable earnings, property, indebtedness, or money of the judgment debtor that was disclosed.

(c) The court may, upon motion of an interested person, discharge the third party as to any disposable earnings, money, property, or indebtedness in excess of the amount that may be required to satisfy the public authority's claim.

Subd. 13.Exceptions to discharge of third party.

The third party is not discharged if:

(a) Within 20 days of the service of the third party's disclosure, an interested person serves a motion relating to the execution levy. The hearing on the motion must be scheduled to be heard within 30 days of the service of the motion.

(b) The public authority moves the court for leave to file a supplemental complaint against the third party, as provided for in subdivision 7, and the court upon proper showing vacates the discharge of the third party.

Subd. 14.Joinder and intervention by persons in interest.

If it appears that a person, who is not a party to the action, has or claims an interest in any of the disposable earnings, other indebtedness, or money, the court shall permit that person to intervene or join in the execution proceeding under this chapter. If that person does not appear, the court may summon that person to appear or order the claim barred. The person so appearing or summoned shall be joined as a party and be bound by the judgment.

Subd. 15.Appeal.

A party to an execution proceeding aggrieved by an order or final judgment may appeal as allowed by law.

Subd. 16.Priority of levy.

Notwithstanding section 52.12, a levy by the public authority made under this section on a judgment debtor's funds on deposit in a financial institution located in this state has priority over any unexercised right of setoff of the financial institution to apply the levied funds toward the balance of an outstanding loan or loans owed by the judgment debtor to the financial institution. A claim by the financial institution that it exercised its right to setoff prior to the levy by the public authority must be substantiated by evidence of the date of the setoff and must be verified by the sworn statement of a responsible corporate officer of the financial institution. For purposes of determining the priority of a levy made under this section, the levy must be treated as if it were an execution made under chapter 550.

History:

1997 c 203 art 6 s 88; 1998 c 254 art 1 s 100,107; 1998 c 382 art 1 s 22; 2000 c 458 s 11-14,16; 2005 c 164 s 29; 1Sp2005 c 7 s 28

552.05 [Repealed, 2000 c 458 s 17]

552.06 SUMMARY EXECUTION OF SUPPORT JUDGMENT UPON FUNDS AT A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.

Subdivision 1.Commencement of summary execution.

(a) This section applies to a judgment debtor who is in arrears in court-ordered support payments in an amount equal to or greater than five times the judgment debtor's total support order.

(b) Section 518A.46 applies to this section, except if it conflicts with the specific provisions of this section, this section applies.

(c) Time frames set out in the Rules of Civil Procedure that are inconsistent with this section do not apply to this section.

(d) The public authority may not proceed with a summary execution of support judgment proceeding:

(1) if the judgment debtor is in compliance with a previously executed written payment agreement approved by the public authority or the court; and

(2) until after the judgment has been submitted for federal or state tax intercept.

(e) Upon receipt of information under section 13B.06 that a judgment debtor holds an account at the financial institution, the public authority may send the financial institution a notice of support judgment levy.

(f) The support judgment levy and accompanying documentation must contain the name of the judgment debtor, the judgment debtor's Social Security number, any necessary verifying information, the amount of the judgment, and the procedures necessary for the financial institution to process the notice of support judgment levy and complete the disclosure form.

(g) Notice of support judgment levy under this section commences without notice to the judgment debtor and without the need for prior judicial notice or hearing.

(h) Within three business days after the public authority sends the notice of support judgment levy to the financial institution, the public authority shall send the judgment debtor a copy of the notice of support judgment levy by first class mail at the judgment debtor's last known address. In addition to the copy of the notice of support judgment levy, information must be provided that describes the exemptions a judgment debtor may claim and the form and procedure for claiming an exemption, the informal resolution process, the responsibilities of the judgment debtor, and the procedure and time frames to contest the levy.

Subd. 2.Responsibilities of financial institution.

(a) Upon receipt by the financial institution of a notice of support judgment levy, the financial institution shall seize all funds up to and including the amount contained in the notice from the judgment debtor's account.

(b) Forty-five days after receiving the levy, the financial institution shall complete the notice of support judgment levy and disclosure form and forward it together with the amount indicated on line 8 of the disclosure form, not to exceed the total amount seized, to the public authority at the address indicated in the notice of support judgment levy.

(c) When the judgment debtor and the public authority informally resolve a dispute under subdivision 3 and the public authority sends a notice of release to the financial institution, the financial institution shall release seized funds in accordance with the notice of release.

(d) If the financial institution receives notice of a contest of the summary execution of support judgment, the financial institution shall continue to hold the funds during the period of contest inclusive of any applicable appeal period and, upon receipt of notice to release from the public authority, shall send the lesser of the amount indicated in the notice of release, or the amount indicated on line 8 of the notice of support judgment levy and disclosure form not to exceed the total amount seized.

(e) If a judgment debtor has multiple accounts within the financial institution, the financial institution shall seize funds in as many accounts of the judgment debtor as is necessary to equal the amount contained in the notice of support judgment levy.

(f) A financial institution that receives more than one notice of support judgment levy under this section shall withhold sufficient funds to satisfy all notices of support judgment levy, if possible.

(g) The Consumer Credit Protection Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1673(b), does not apply to funds withheld by a financial institution under this section.

(h) The public authority shall pay a fee of $15 per levy to the financial institution. Financial institutions and the commissioner of human services shall establish procedures to automate the payment of this fee to the maximum extent possible. The fee may be recovered by the public authority from the judgment debtor as an allowable cost.

(i) No financial institution is liable for damages for complying with this section. The financial institution may rely on the date of mailing or delivery of a notice to it in computing any time periods in this section.

Subd. 3.Informal resolutions of disputes.

(a) After the judgment debtor receives a notice of support judgment levy, the judgment debtor may contact the public authority with information regarding a mistake of fact or claim of exemption. In the event the matter is resolved, the public authority shall contact the financial institution and forward to the financial institution a notice of release regarding the appropriate transfer of funds and send a copy to the judgment debtor.

(b) Contact by the judgment debtor under this subdivision does not constitute a contest to the levy under subdivision 5. The time frame to contest the support judgment levy under subdivision 5 is not stayed while the judgment debtor contacts the public authority. The judgment debtor may contest the levy under subdivision 5.

Subd. 4.Responsibilities of public authority.

(a) If a judgment debtor serves the public authority with a notice of motion and motion under subdivision 5, the public authority shall immediately notify:

(1) the financial institution, directing the financial institution to continue holding the funds pending resolution of the matter; and

(2) the obligee, by mailing by first class mail a copy of the notice of motion and motion.

(b) Upon final resolution of the matter, including the applicable appeal times, the public authority shall forward to the financial institution a notice of release regarding the appropriate transfer of funds.

(c) Funds received by the public authority must be applied to the judgment identified in the support judgment levy notice in compliance with federal regulations.

(d) In the event that multiple notices result in an amount of seized funds that is insufficient to satisfy all of the support judgment levies, the public authority shall distribute funds to satisfy each support judgment levy in the order in which they were sent to the financial institution.

Subd. 5.Exemption and contest.

(a) Process to claim exemption. If the judgment debtor elects to claim an exemption, the judgment debtor shall complete the applicable portion of the exemption form, sign it under penalty of perjury, and deliver one copy to the public authority within 20 calendar days of the date postmarked on the correspondence mailed to the judgment debtor. Failure of the judgment debtor to deliver the executed exemption does not constitute a waiver of any claimed right to an exemption. Upon timely receipt of a claim of exemption by the public authority, funds not claimed to be exempt by the judgment debtor remain subject to the support judgment levy. If a claim of exemption is resolved informally, the public authority shall proceed according to subdivision 3.

(b) Process to contest. (1) The judgment debtor may contest a support judgment levy on the limited grounds that the seizure or the amount seized is improper due to mistake of fact or that the funds held in the account are exempt from levy for child support purposes under state or federal law.

(2) If the judgment debtor chooses to contest the withholding, within 30 calendar days of notice of support judgment levy, the debtor shall:

(i) file a motion with the court administrator, including in the motion the alleged mistake of fact or the basis for any claim that the funds are exempted from withholding;

(ii) obtain a hearing date from the court administrator; and

(iii) serve the public authority, either personally or by fax, with a copy of the notice of motion and motion no later than two business days after obtaining a hearing date.

(c) Hearing. The hearing date shall be set at the earliest practicable time, but the matter must be heard no later than ten calendar days from the date a request for hearing is made. The court administrator shall schedule these matters to be heard in the expedited process before a child support magistrate, but may schedule these cases in district court if the availability of child support magistrate does not permit a hearing to occur within the time frames of this section.

Subd. 6.Form.

The state court administrator's office shall prepare and make available to the court administrators and judgment debtors a form to be submitted by the judgment debtor in support of a motion to contest the support judgment levy under this section.

History:

2000 c 458 s 15; 2005 c 164 s 29; 1Sp2005 c 7 s 28