### Question
What does legal process mean?


### Answer
**Legal process** has the following meaning in *42 U.S.C. § 662*:

> any writ, order, summons, or other similar process in the nature of garnishment, which—


(1) is issued by (A) a court of competent jurisdiction within any State, territory, or possession of the United States, (B) a court of competent jurisdiction in any foreign country with which the United States has entered into an agreement which requires the United States to honor such process, or (C) an authorized official pursuant to an order of such a court of competent jurisdiction or pursuant to State or local law, and


(2) is directed to, and the purpose of which is to compel, a governmental entity, which holds moneys which are otherwise payable to an individual, to make a payment from such moneys to another party in order to satisfy a legal obligation of such individual to provide child support or make alimony payments

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 662*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 6-THE CHILDREN'S BUREAU > SUBCHAPTER IV-GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID AND SERVICES TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND FOR CHILD-WELFARE SERVICES > Part D-Child Support and Establishment of Paternity**

