New Jersey § 2a:17-56
Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 2a:17-56, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 2a:17-56.
a. An income withholding made under P.L.1981, c. 417 ( C.2A:17-56.8 et seq. ) and provisions for health care coverage shall be binding upon the payor and successor
payors immediately after service upon the payor by the Probation Division of a copy
of the income withholding and an order for the provision of health care coverage,
by regular mail. The payor is to pay the withheld amount to the Probation Division at the same time
the obligor is paid. The payor shall implement withholding and the provisions for health care coverage
no later than the first pay period that ends immediately after the date the notice
was postmarked, except that the payor is not required to alter regular pay cycles
to comply with the withholding. For each payment, other than payment received from the unemployment compensation
fund, the payor may receive $1.00, which shall be deducted from the obligor's income
in addition to the amount of the support order to compensate the payor for the administrative
expense of processing the withholding. Notice to the payor shall include, but not be limited to, instructions for the provisions
for health care coverage, the amount to be withheld from the obligor's income and
a statement that the total amount withheld for support and other purposes may not
be in excess of the maximum amount permitted under section 303 (b) of the federal
Consumer Credit Protection Act ( 15 U.S.C.s.1673 (b) ); that the payor shall send the amount to the Probation Division at the same time
the obligor is paid, unless the Probation Division directs that payment be made to
another individual or entity; that the payor may deduct and retain a fee of $1.00
in addition to the amount of the support order except when the payment is received
from the unemployment compensation fund; that withholding is binding on the payor
until further notice by the Probation Division; that, in accordance with section
6 of P.L.1981, c. 417 ( C.2A:17-56.12 ), the payor is subject to a fine and civil damages as determined by the court for
discharging an obligor from employment, refusing to employ, or taking disciplinary
action against an obligor subject to an income withholding because of the withholding
or any obligation which it imposes upon the payor; that the payor is subject to a
fine as determined by the court for failure to withhold support from the obligor's
income or pay the withheld amount to the Probation Division; that if the payor fails
to take appropriate action with regard to the provisions for health care coverage
or withhold wages in accordance with the provisions of the notice, the payor is liable
for any medical expenses incurred by the children subject to the provisions for health
care coverage and any amount up to the accumulated amount the payor should have withheld
from the obligor's income; that the withholding shall have priority over any other
legal process under State law against the same income; that the payor may combine
withheld amounts from the obligor's income in a single payment to the Probation Division
and separately identify the portion of the single payment which is attributable to
each obligor unless submitted pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1981, c. 417 ( C.2A:17-56.13 ) or through electronic funds transfer; that if there is more than one support order
for withholding against a single obligor, the payor shall withhold the payments on
a pro rata basis to fully comply with the support orders, to the extent that the total
amount withheld does not exceed the limits imposed under section 303 (b) of the federal
Consumer Credit Protection Act ( 15 U.S.C. s.1673 (b) ); that the payor shall implement withholding no later than the first pay period
that ends immediately after the date the notice was postmarked, except that the payor
is not required to alter regular pay cycles to comply with the withholding; and that
the payor shall notify the Probation Division promptly upon the termination of the
obligor's employment benefits and provide the obligor's last known address and the
name and address of the obligor's new payor, if known. A payor served with an income withholding notice shall be liable to the obligee for
failure to deduct the amounts specified. The obligee or the Probation Division may commence a proceeding against the payor
for accrued deductions, together with interest and reasonable attorney's fees. In accordance with section 314 of Pub.L.104-193 , a payor who complies with an income withholding notice that is regular on its face
shall be immune from civil liability for conduct in compliance with the notice. b. When a payor receives an income withholding notice issued by another state, the
payor shall apply the income withholding law of the state in which the obligor's principal
place of employment is located in determining: (1) the payor's fee for processing the income withholding; (2) the maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor's income; (3) the time periods within which the payor must implement the income withholding
order and forward the child support payment; (4) the priorities for withholding and allocating income withheld for multiple obligees;
and (5) any withholding terms or conditions not specified in the support order or notice. c. If an obligor is injured and eligible for workers' compensation under chapter 15
of Title 34 of the Revised Statutes or other disability benefits, the payor shall
forward a copy of the income withholding to the insurance carrier at the same time
an obligor's claim for workers' compensation is submitted to the Division of Workers'
Compensation in the Department of Labor. The income withholding shall be binding upon the insurance carrier and the insurance
carrier shall implement the income withholding pursuant to the provisions of this
section. d. The Probation Division shall use the National Medical Support Notice for medical
support orders upon its adoption by federal regulation pursuant to the “Child Support
Performance and Incentive Act of 1998,” Pub. L.105-200.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 2a:17-56
What does New Jersey Statutes § 2a:17-56 cover?
Section 2a:17-56 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite New Jersey § 2a:17-56?
A common citation format is "New Jersey Statutes § 2a:17-56" (New Jersey). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of New Jersey law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.
How does New Jersey § 2a:17-56 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.