§ 18.398. Child support judgments

18.398. Child support judgments


(1) It is the policy of this state:

(a) To afford protection to the debtor and the debtor's family homestead through the homestead exemption;

(b) To maintain dependent children from the financial resources of both parents of those children;

(c) That the homestead exemption should not be permitted to serve as a shield for a debtor's evasion of child support obligations;

(d) That the burden for that support should not be shifted in all cases to the present family of the debtor through the sale of the family residence; and

(e) That to accommodate these policies, the court should have the discretion to decline to allow all or part of a claimed homestead exemption in cases involving child support as provided in this section.

(2) Notwithstanding ORS 18.395 to 18.422, a court in its discretion may decline to allow a homestead exemption in whole or part in any proceeding under ORS 18.912 if the proceeding is based on a judgment for child support that arises out of an order or judgment under ORS 24.115, 107.095, 107.105, 107.135, 108.120, 109.100, 109.103, 109.155, 109.165, 416.400 to 416.465, 419B.400 or 419C.590 or ORS chapter 110 or 125.

(3) In exercising the discretion granted under subsection (1) of this section, the court shall consider:

(a) The financial resources of both parties;

(b) The number of dependents of each of the parties;

(c) The ages, health and conditions of parties and their dependents;

(d) The child support payment history of the judgment debtor on the judgment which is the subject of the petition; and

(e) Other collection attempts by the judgment creditor on the judgment which is the subject of the petition.

(4) This section shall not apply to any proceeding under ORS 18.912 brought by or on the behalf of the state or any agency of the state.