Legal process is any writ, order, summons, or notice to withhold pursuant to subsection
(a) (1) or (b) of 42 USC 666, or other similar process in the nature of garnishment. It may include, but is not limited to, an attachment, writ of execution, income
execution order or wage assignment that is issued by:
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A court of competent jurisdiction, including Indian tribal courts within any State,
territory, or possession of the U.S. or the District of Columbia;
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A court of competent jurisdiction in any foreign country with which the U.S. has entered
into an agreement which requires the U.S. to honor the process. See GN 02410.210B. regarding foreign court orders;
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An authorized official pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction or
pursuant to State or local law;
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A State agency authorized to issue income withholding notices pursuant to State or
local law or pursuant to 42 USC 666(b);
and is directed to a governmental entity.
Hereafter, the terms “garnishment order” or “order” refer to any legal process and
“the court” refers to any issuer of legal process in this context.