[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 5, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 5CFR1653.21]

[Page 284]
 
                    TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
 
         CHAPTER VI--FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD
 
PART 1653--DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDERS AFFECTING THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN ACCOUNTS--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart B--Legal Process for the Enforcement of a Participant's Legal 
      Obligations To Provide Child Support or Make Alimony Payments
 
Sec. 1653.21  Definitions.

    As used in this subpart:
    Alimony means the payment of funds for the support and maintenance 
of a spouse or former spouse. Alimony includes separate maintenance, 
alimony pendente lite, maintenance, and spousal support. Alimony also 
can include attorney's fees, interest, and court costs, but only if 
these items are expressly made recoverable by qualifying legal process 
as described in Sec. 1653.23.
    Child support means payment of funds for the support and maintenance 
of a child or children. Child support includes payments to provide for 
health care, education, recreation, clothing, or to meet other specific 
needs of such a child or children. Child support also can include 
attorney's fees, interest, and court costs, but only if these items are 
expressly made recoverable by qualifying legal process as described in 
Sec. 1653.23.
    Legal obligation means an obligation to pay alimony or child 
support, or both, that is currently enforceable under appropriate State 
or local law. A ``legal obligation'' may include currently payable, as 
well as past due, alimony or child support. However, ``legal 
obligation'' does not mean any future obligation to make alimony or 
child support payments.

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