39-7,146. Arrearages. (a) If the responsible parent owes any arrearages, the secretary may serve upon the responsible parent an order for minimum payments to defray the arrearages. The order shall identify the amount of unpaid arrearages and the minimum periodic payment the obligor is required to make to defray the arrearages. The amount specified for the minimum periodic payment shall be in addition to any current support order. The order shall state that failure to request review of the stated amount of arrearages may bar any later challenge to the amount. The order shall be served on the responsible parent only by personal service or registered mail, return receipt requested.

(b) The secretary shall adopt guidelines for determining minimum payments to defray arrearages that may be ordered pursuant to this section. To the extent that information is known, the following factors shall be considered: the financial condition of the child, custodial parent and responsible parent; the amount of the current support order; the existence of other dependents; and the total of unpaid arrearages.

(c) Unless stayed, an order issued pursuant to this section shall be effective 30 days after the date of entry. The responsible parent may request: (1) An administrative hearing pursuant to K.S.A. 75-3306, and amendments thereto, by complying with procedures established by the secretary within ten days after entry of the order; or (2) a de novo court review pursuant to K.S.A. 39-7,139, and amendments thereto. If the order is served by mail, the time shall be extended by three days.

(d) If, after an order issued pursuant to this section becomes effective, the responsible parent fails to make the minimum payments to defray arrearages, the order may be enforced pursuant to the civil enforcement provisions of the Kansas judicial review act, K.S.A. 77-601 et seq., and amendments thereto.

History: L. 1997, ch. 182, § 15; L. 2010, ch. 17, § 56; July 1.