What is a Vehicle Lien?
If a non-custodial parent owes more than $1,000.00 in past due child support, the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office will submit that parent’s name to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to palce a lien on any vehicle that he or she might purchase. This means that the non-custodial parent cannot sell the vehicle without the IV-D office first releasing the lien. This usually requires a lump sum payment on the arrearage. In extraordinary cases, vehicles may be seized and sold at auction to pay the back support. Other real property (i.e. house, boat, trailer and estates) may also be seized and sold at auction to satisfy your support obligation.
