2021 Code of Alabama
Title 30 - Marital and Domestic Relations.
Chapter 3 - Child Custody and Support.
Article 9 - Alabama Child Support Reform Act of 1997.
Section 30-3-198 - Notice of Lien.
Section 30-3-198
Notice of lien.
(a) The state Title IV-D agency, by or through any employee, agent, or representative, shall file a notice of a lien against any real or personal property of any noncustodial parent who resides or owns property in this state and owes past due child support payments under 42 U.S.C.A. Section 666(a) (4) as follows: (i) liens against any real property shall be filed in the office of the judge of probate where the real property is located; (ii) liens against personal property, other than personal property subject to a certificate of title, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State in the records where Uniform Commercial Code financing statements are filed; and (iii) liens against personal property which is subject to a certificate of title shall be filed in the office of the Alabama Department of Revenue on such forms as may be prescribed by the Department of Revenue and upon delivery to the Department of Revenue of the outstanding certificate of title on the personal property and payment of the fees required under the provisions of the Uniform Certificate of Title and Anti-Theft Act, Section 32-8-1, et seq.
(b) Upon the filing of a notice, a lien shall arise by operation of law and shall serve as notice of the contents from the time of the filing of the notice. The lien shall be subject and subordinate to the following:
(1) Mortgages, security interests, and other liens perfected, filed, or recorded prior to the time the state Title IV-D agency lien is recorded.
(2) Right of set-off.
(3) Purchase money security interests and other purchase money liens.
(4) Mechanic and materialmen liens.
(c) The state shall accord full faith and credit to liens arising from any judicial or administrative action in another state. When the state Title IV-D employee, agent, or representative seeks to enforce a lien or a judicial order, notice shall not be required. The state Title IV-D agency shall not be required to obtain a judgment for an amount certain prior to filing for the enforcement of a lien.
(Acts 1997, No. 97-447, p. 772, §9, Acts 1997, No. 97-890, §1.)