A Red, White and Blue Child Support Salute to Oklahoma Servicemembers

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- As airmen, soldiers and sailors leave home to serve their country within the U.S. or abroad, they have many issues with which to deal. One of the most important is making sure their family is cared for properly while they are away from home.
Often times, this can prove to be a daunting task, whether it is ensuring all bills are paid in a proper and timely fashion, household tasks and maintenance are taken care of, or even that child support is accomplished in the correct way.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Support Enforcement Division is eager to assist Oklahoma’s patriots in receiving the help needed at home regarding child support. The organization is available to serve both the servicemember and the family.

“The deployment of numbers of National Guard and Reserve troops for the Iraq War has changed the financial situation of many child support obligors and their families,” explained Linda Monroe, regional administrator for the western region of CSED.

“In some instances it has resulted in a decrease and in others an increase in income. The Child Support Enforcement district offices throughout the state have been directed to promptly review and modify child support orders when a change occurs due to military service.”

CSED Director Gary Dart said he is pleased Oklahoma has taken a pro-active stance in aiding our nation’s protectors.

“After the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) was amended in December 2003, CSED began analyzing the revisions to determine if we needed to change our procedures concerning military servicemembers,” said Dart. “Relevant to child support enforcement are the safeguards against default judgments the SCRA affords in administrative and civil actions. Also, a servicemember can ask for a reduction in interest rates applied to pre-service debts, including child support judgments.”

Elizabeth Wilson, assistant director for operations of CSED stated, “After the SCRA was amended, Oklahoma was pro-active in forming a process improvement team that developed procedures and forms for handling the cases of servicemembers. The result was a comprehensive guide for staff.

It has been used as a model by some other states. In addition, CSED has presented continuing legal education about the SCRA to Oklahoma attorneys in cooperation with the Oklahoma Bar Association. We continue to provide education in this area. In August at the Southwest Regional Support Enforcement Association conference, to be held in Oklahoma City, one of the workshops will concern child support enforcement and the military. Best practices of four states will be shared.”

According to CSED, the SCRA prescribes certain requirements before a default judgment can be entered against a servicemember on active duty. The SCRA does not prohibit defaults, but the requirements of the SCRA must be met before a default order is entered. If an appearance is not made, the court must appoint an attorney and grant a request for stay. If an appearance is made a stay may be granted, or if a stay is refused, an attorney must be appointed. No servicemember has a judgment entered against him or her without first complying with the SCRA.

“CSED recognizes and appreciates the sacrifices of the nation’s military,” added Dart. “Our policies reflect our commitment to being fair and providing quality service to those who serve.”

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