ORS 656.234 Compensation not assignable nor to pass by operation of law; certain benefits subject to support obligations

No moneys payable under this chapter on account of injuries or death are subject to assignment prior to their receipt by the beneficiary entitled thereto, nor shall they pass by operation of law. All such moneys and the right to receive them are exempt from seizure on execution, attachment or garnishment, or by the process of any court.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section:

Moneys payable under ORS 656.210 and 656.212 are subject to an order to enforce child support obligations, and spousal support when there is a current support obligation for a joint child of the obligated parent and the person to whom spousal support is owed, under ORS 25.378; and

Moneys payable under ORS 656.206, 656.214, 656.236 and 656.289 (4) are subject to an order to enforce child support obligations under ORS 25.378.

Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 25.378 and 25.414, the amount of child support obligation subject to enforcement may not exceed:

One-fourth of moneys paid under ORS 656.210 and 656.212 or the amount of the current support to be paid as continuing support, whichever is less, or, if there is no current support obligation and the withholding is for arrearages only, 15 percent of the moneys paid under ORS 656.210 and 656.212 or the amount previously paid as current support, whichever is less;

One-half of moneys paid in a lump sum award under ORS 656.210 and 656.212 when the award becomes final by operation of law or waiver of the right to appeal its adequacy;

One-half of moneys paid under ORS 656.206, 656.214 and 656.236; or

One-half of the net proceeds paid to the worker in a disputed claim settlement under ORS 656.289 (4).

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, when withholding is only for arrearages assigned to this or another state, the Department of Justice may set a lesser amount to be withheld if the obligor demonstrates the withholding is prejudicial to the obligor’s ability to provide for a child the obligor has a duty to support.