Tennessee Department of Human Services Ex Rel. Young v. Young

DAUGHTREY, Justice.

OPINION

In this appeal, we are asked to determine whether federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are subject to legal process in the state courts of Tennessee for the payment of court-ordered child support. Because we disagree with the conclusion reached by both the trial judge and the Court of Appeals that applicable federal statutes permit garnishment of such funds, we reverse the judgment entered below.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

The parties in this case, Lisa Ann Hayes Young and Johnny Charles Young, were divorced in June 1986. They had one child, a daughter, who was…