LOUKO v. McDonald

¶ 1. The question in this case is whether a retroactive Social Security disability lump-sum benefit payment, paid directly to the children of a worker, may offset a child support arrearage. We hold that it can and affirm.

¶2. The relevant facts are not in dispute. The parties were married in 1988 and were divorced on February 7, 2002. Together they have two children, one of whom is emancipated. Mother, Pamela McDonald, was awarded sole legal and physical parental rights and responsibilities for the children in 2001, and father, Jeremiah Louko, was ordered to pay $326 per month in child support…