If an employee's attorney requests that payments be sent to the attorney's office, what should the administrator normally do?

• A. Make payments to the EE
• B. Make payments to the attorney
• C. Hold payments
• D. Request a court order

Answer: (C)

When an employee’s attorney asks that benefits be sent to the attorney’s office, the administrator should not change who receives the payments right away. The normal practice is to hold the payments until there is proper legal authorization showing the attorney is entitled to receive funds—such as a court order or a documented attorney’s lien or assignment. This protects the employee’s benefits and ensures funds aren’t misdirected without binding authority. Only after presenting valid documentation would payments be directed to the attorney or as the order specifies. A plain request from the attorney without such documentation does not provide the necessary legal basis to alter the payment recipient.