reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 233 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter II - Emancipation to Administer Property|§ 233. Capacity of emancipated minor

 Emancipation by the court capacitates the minor to govern his property and person as if he were of age; but until he attains his majority such emancipated person can not make any promise or contract any obligation exceeding in value the amount of his income for one year. Neither can he encumber or sell his real property, without the consent of the court. Nor may he appear in a suit without the appearance of a guardian ad litem.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 241 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter III - Emancipation by Marriage|§ 241. Emancipation by marriage; restrictions as to real property and loans

 A minor, whether male or female, becomes emancipated of right by marriage. Nevertheless, in order to alienate and mortgage any real property or to contract loans, a minor emancipated by marriage shall require the consent of his father, in default of his father that of his mother, and in the proper case, that of his guardian.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 251 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter IV - Judicial Emancipation|§ 251. Emancipation of orphan

 A minor who has lost both parents may obtain the benefit of majority by decree of the district court, upon petition by the United States attorney.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 252 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter IV - Judicial Emancipation|§ 252. Opposition of guardian

 A guardian may oppose an emancipation under this subchapter, in which case the district court shall hear the parties at an oral hearing in which the reasons for and against such emancipation may be alleged and proven.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 253 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter IV - Judicial Emancipation|§ 253. Requirements for judicial emancipation

 For granting the concession stated in section 251 and 252 of this title, it is required that— (1) the minor be over eighteen years of age and have the necessary ability to manage and administer his property; (2) the minor consent to the emancipation; and (3) such emancipation be deemed advantageous to the minor.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 254 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter IV - Judicial Emancipation|§ 254. Effect of decree of judicial emancipation

 When the district court decrees the emancipation of the minor, it shall order that he be considered as of age, for all legal effects, except as limited by this subchapter.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 261 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter V - Emancipation by Majority|§ 261. Age of majority; effects

 All persons are deemed to have arrived at majority at the age of 18 years, and thereafter shall have control of their own actions and business and have all the rights and be subject to all the liabilities of persons of full age.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 342 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 342. Persons obligated to support

 (a) The following are obliged to support each other— (1) husband and wife; (2) legitimate ascendants and descendants up to 18 years of age; (3) parents and children and the legitimate descendants of the latter up to 18 years of age; (4) the adopter and the person adopted; and (5) parents and illegitimate children who have been recognized as children by written acknowledgment of the natural parent or by decree of a competent court. (b) Brothers and sisters also owe to their brothers and sisters, even when only on the mother's or father's side, the aid necessary to maintain their existence, when through a physical or mental defect or for any other cause not the fault of the person requiring support, such person cannot provide for himself. (c) With such support is included the expenses necessary for the elementary education and teaching of a profession or trade.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 343 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 343. Order of duty between two or more persons liable for support

 A claim for support, when proper and when there are two or more persons who are bound to give it, shall be made in the following order— (1) to the husband or wife; (2) to the nearest descendants; (3) to the nearest ascendants; (4) to brothers or sisters. Among descendants and ascendants the gradation shall follow the order in which they are entitled to inherit the estate of the person having the right to be supported.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 344 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 344. Apportionment of support between two or more obligors

 (a) When the obligation to support devolves upon two or more persons, the amount that each shall pay shall be proportioned to his respective estate. Nevertheless in cases of urgent necessity and under special circumstances, the judge may order one of them to provisionally provide such support, and he shall have the right to reclaim from the others their corresponding part of the amount. (b) When two or more persons claim support at the same time of a person lawfully obliged to give it, and the latter has not sufficient means to attend to the needs of all, the order established in section 342 of this title shall be observed, except that support due to or on behalf of a child or children shall have priority over all other support obligations. Where there is more than one section 357 notice of withholding against a single obligor, preference must be given to payment of all current child support obligations before payment for any child support arrears and if the limits of section 303(b) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)) preclude payment in full of all current child support obligations, then all of the current child support obligations shall be paid on a pro rata basis up to the limits of the Act.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 345 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 345. Determining amount of support

 (a) The amount provided for support, except for the support due to or on behalf of a child or children, shall be proportioned to the resources of the person giving such support and to the necessities of the party receiving it, and shall be reduced or increased in proportion to the resources or the necessities of the latter. (b) In any proceeding to establish or modify a child support obligation, whether before the Court, or before the hearing officer pursuant to section 354 of this chapter, the child support guidelines established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall apply. The guidelines shall create a rebuttable presumption that the amount resulting from the application thereof is the correct amount of child support to be awarded. Application of the guidelines shall extend to proceedings setting child support amounts pursuant to agreement, stipulation or consent. (c) The child support guidelines shall be based on specific, numeric and descriptive criteria that result in the computation of child support amounts. The guidelines shall be based on a cost-sharing approach in that the child's (children's) needs are divided proportionally between the parents/custodians based upon their relative incomes. Income shall be income as defined in section 341 of this chapter, and it shall not include Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) grants. The guidelines may be modified or disregarded if it is determined that injustice would result from the application thereof. Such determination must be based on criteria taking into consideration the best interests of the child (children), and further must be supported by specific and written findings of fact, including, at a minimum, the amount that would have been established by the guidelines and the reasons for the variance therefrom. The Attorney General shall adopt the format and prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary for the computation of child support amounts pursuant to the guidelines set forth herein as well as such rules and regulations as are necessary to establish criteria allowing for determination rebutting the presumptive guidelines established hereby. (d) Every child support order established or modified by administrative or judicial process pursuant to subsection (c) of this chapter, shall, in addition to setting a child support award, provide for the coverage of the child's (children's) health care needs, if such coverage is available at reasonable cost. (e) The Attorney General shall review, and revise, if appropriate, the child support guidelines adopted pursuant to this section at least once every four years, to ensure that their application results in the determination of appropriate support awards, and to ensure that deviations from the guidelines are limited. The review shall be based on an analysis of economic data on the cost of raising children and of case data gathered through sampling or other methodology.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 346 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 346. Time obligation arises

 The obligation to support may be claimed from the time the person having a right thereto shall require such support, but it shall not begin until the date on which a petition therefor is made.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 347 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 347. Manner of payments

 Payments for support shall be made monthly, in advance, and when the person receiving the same dies, his heirs shall not be required to repay any sum that may have been paid in advance.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 348 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 348. Manner of support

 The person obliged to render support may either pay the amount required to be paid or receive and maintain in his own dwelling the person having a right to such support.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 349 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 349. Effect of obligor's death

 The obligation to give support ceases with the death of the person obliged to give it, even when given in fulfilment of a final judgment.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 350 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 350. Transfer of right; set-off

 (a) The right to receive support can not be relinquished or transmitted to a third party; Provided, That in the case of a person who is receiving public assistance in the form of financial aid for dependent children from the Department of Social Welfare or any other governmental agency through any federal, territorial, or joint program, any support payments obtained by that recipient pursuant to court order or voluntary agreement shall be assigned, endorsed or otherwise made payable to the Department of Social Welfare or other appropriate governmental agency or fund for the purpose of reimbursing such agency or fund for any monies expended therefrom for the benefits of the recipient. Neither shall such support be set off against any amount owing by the recipient to the person obliged to give it. (b) The Government, through the Division of Paternity and Child Support, shall recoup, through reasonable means, all support erroneously disbursed to a child support obligee from that obligee and support due that obligee, with the consent of the oblige, either express or implied. The consent of the obligee is deemed to be implied when the obligee fails to respond to three fee notices sent to the obligee, by the Government, at the obligee's last known address, and it is clearly stated on each notice that consent will be implied due to lack of a response. (c) The government, through the Division of Paternity and Child Support may charge and collect an annual child support collection fee, from any obligee who has never received assistance under a program funded in whole or part under title IV-A of the Social Security Act.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 351 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 351. Time obligation ceases

 The obligation to give support ceases— (1) with the death of the recipient; (2) when the means of the person obliged to give it shall have been reduced so that he cannot do so without disregarding his own needs and those of his family; (3) when the recipient is capable of working at a trade, profession or industry, or has obtained employment or bettered his financial position so that he does not stand in need of the amount given for support; or (4) when the recipient is a descendant of the person obliged to give support and the necessity therefor arises from wrong conduct or lack of application to work, during the time such cause exists.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 352 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 352. Priority of support judgment or order over other obligations; payroll deductions

 (a) A judgment or order entered under this subchapter against any person for the support of a person he or she is found obligated to support pursuant to section 342 of this chapter or pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter shall take priority over all other financial obligations of said person, and shall be enforceable as such by the judgment creditor, provided such judgment is filed pursuant to the requirements of Title 5, section 425 of the Code or of this subchapter. (b) When a judgment is entered against any person for the support of a person, other than his or her own child, that he or she is found obligated to support pursuant to section 342 of this chapter or pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter, the court shall notify, by registered or certified mail, that person's employer, if any, of the entry of that judgment or order. The court may also order the employer to deduct from the employee's salary the amount ordered for support. In the event that person is employed by the Government of the Virgin Islands, the court shall notify the Commissioner of Finance of the entry of that judgment or order. Notification under this section shall constitute legal notice for purposes of this section. An employer shall not discharge or otherwise discipline an employee as a result of a payroll deduction order authorized by this section. Any employee so discharged or disciplined is entitled to the recovery of damages suffered, plus reinstatement, attorney's fees and costs incurred. (c) In garnishment, execution, assignment or similar proceedings, the employer (or Commissioner of Finance) shall satisfy claims against the employee's salary or wages for support of a person he is found obligated to support pursuant to section 342 of this chapter or pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter prior to the satisfaction of any other claim against such compensation.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 355 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 355. Notice for income withholding or income tax refund withholding

 (a) Upon whichever may first occur: (1) the day the obligor fails to make payments under a child support order or an order for child support in conjunction with spousal or former spousal support in an amount equal to the support payable for one (1) month, or (2) the day on which an obligor or obligee requests that withholding begin, or (3) such earlier day that the Family Division judge of the Superior Court or the hearing officer may order, the Division shall initiate income withholding pursuant to section 357 of this chapter and shall send the obligor notice that income withholding has commenced and that the obligor may be subject to income tax refund withholding. (b) Any notice of commencement of income withholding or of the intent to commence income tax refund withholding shall inform the obligor: (1) of the amount of overdue support or arrearage that is owed and the amount of income or income tax refund that will be withheld, in addition to any amount withheld to secure overdue support, pursuant to Title 3, section 119(a)(6) of this code; (2) that the provision for income withholding applies to any current or subsequent employer or period of employment; (3) of the procedures available for contesting the withholding and that the only basis for contesting withholding is a mistake of fact; (4) that if the obligor wishes to contest income withholding or income tax refund withholding he or she must inform the Division of his or her desire to do so within ten (10) days of the date of the notice, and that if the obligor does not contact the Division within that time, the Division will continue with the commencement of income withholding and notify the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue to initiate the withholding of tax refunds; (5) that if the obligor is determined at a hearing to be in arrears or if he or she does not contest withholding, he or she may be required to post a bond, give security, or give some other guarantee the he or she shall pay the overdue support that his or her name and the amount of overdue support will be provided to any consumer reporting agency pursuant to section 366 of this chapter; (6) of any action the Division will take if the obligor contests the withholding, including the procedures established under section 356 of this chapter; and (7) of the information provided to the employer, pursuant to section 357 of this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 356 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 356. Hearing

 (a) If the obligor wishes to contest income withholding or income tax refund withholding, he or she must notify the Division and the Administration Hearing Office in writing within ten (10) days of the notice provided for in section 355 of this chapter. Failure to inform the Division within ten (10) days of the date of the notice shall be construed as a consent to income withholding or income tax refund withholding. (b) When an obligor makes a timely request to contest income withholding or income tax refund withholding, a hearing shall be scheduled by the hearing officer and notice shall be given to the obligor of the opportunity to present his or her case. (c) At the hearing, the obligor may contest income withholding or income tax refund withholding only on the basis of a mistake of fact. (d) A written decision and order as to whether commencement of income withholding will continue or income tax refund withholding will occur shall be made and provided to the obligor and to the person to whom the support money is owed within forty-five (45) days of the date the original notice was sent to the obligor. In the case of income withholding, the decision must notify the obligor and the person to whom the support money is owed whether or not withholding is to continue and, if income withholding is to continue, the notice shall include the amounts of income being withheld, and the time when income withholding began. (e) In the event income withholding shall continue, the amount withheld shall be the amount of the current support obligation, plus not less than ten percent (10%) nor more than thirty percent (30%) of the current support obligation, in the discretion of the hearing officer, and to the extent that the notice issued pursuant to section 355 of this chapter does not already provide for same.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 358 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 358. Employer's obligations

 An employer who receives a notice or order of income withholding as provided in section 357 of this chapter shall: (1) withhold from the obligor's income the amount stated in section 357(2)(a) of this chapter; (2) send this amount to the Child Support Disbursement Unit according to section 357(2)(b) of this chapter; (3) continue to comply with the provisions of the notice or order of income withholding until it receives further notice from the Paternity and Child Support Division; (4) implement income withholding according to section 357(2)(h) of this chapter; and (5) notify the Paternity and Child Support Division promptly when the obligor terminates employment and provide the Division with the obligor terminates employment and provide the Division with the obligor's last known address and the name and address of the obligor's new employer, if known.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 359 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 359. Obligor's obligation to inform about new employment

 Any obligor whose income is subject to an income withholding order or notice must inform the Paternity and Child Support Division if he or she changes employers and must provide the Division with the new employer's name and address within fourteen (14) days of the new employment.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 360 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 360. Employer's liability for wrongful retribution

 (a) No employer of a person whose income is subject to an income withholding order may discharge, refuse to employ, or take disciplinary action against such person because of the income withholding order. Any employee who is discharged, denied employment, or disciplined because of an income withholding order is entitled to damages suffered, plus employment or reinstatement, plus attorney's fees and costs incurred. (b) Any employer that discharges, refuses to employ, or takes disciplinary action against a person because of an income withholding order shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500) but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and no portion of the minimum fine may be suspended.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 361 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13 - Support of Relations|Subchapter I - Civil Liability for Support|§ 361. Employer's liability for failure to withhold

 Any employer that fails to withhold income in accordance with the provisions of a notice that is served on such employer pursuant to section 357 of this chapter is liable for the accumulated amount it should have withheld from the obligor's income, and shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500) but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and no portion of the minimum fine may be suspended.