(a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Terms Used In Alabama Code 30-3-6

  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(1) SUPPORT. Support of any child, with respect to whom a support order exists, and support of a spouse or former spouse with respect to whom a support order exists where incidental to an order of child support as required by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
(2) OVERDUE SUPPORT. A delinquency in an obligation of “support,” as such term is defined in this section, the obligation having been previously determined under a court order or judgment.
(3) OBLIGOR. Any person required to make payments under the terms of a support order or comply with visitation orders.
(4) OBLIGEE. Any person or entity which is entitled to receive support pursuant to a support order and who is receiving support services from the Department of Human Resources pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
(b) In addition to any other remedy provided by law where an action is initiated for the enforcement of support, a court of this state having jurisdiction over the enforcement action may in its discretion, where request therefor is included in the petition or other pleading, issue an order requiring the obligor to post a bond, give security, or give some other guarantee to secure the payment of overdue support or compliance with visitation orders. The amount of security, bond, or other payment guarantee to be required is at the discretion of the court. Provided, that the petition or other original pleading shall clearly notify the obligor that, in addition to the relief being sought through the underlying enforcement proceeding, the petitioner or complainant is seeking to have the court set a bond, security, or other guarantee of payment. The obligor shall have the opportunity to be heard on the matter of the bond, security, or other guarantee of payment at the time of the hearing on the enforcement action.
(c) If the required payments are not made as ordered and the security, bond, or other guarantee to secure payment is forfeited, the proceeds therefrom shall be applied to the support due.