(a) In the event any indebtedness or other property due from or in the possession of a garnishee is claimed by any other person, the court shall permit the claimant to appear and maintain his or her claim. A claimant not voluntarily appearing shall be served with notice as the court shall direct. If a claimant fails to appear after being served with notice in the manner directed, he or she shall be concluded by the judgment entered in the garnishment proceeding.
     (b) If the adverse claimant appears and, within the time the court allows, files his or her claim and serves a copy thereof upon the judgment creditor, the judgment debtor, and the garnishee, he or she is then a party to the garnishment proceeding; and his or her claim shall be tried and determined with the other issues in the garnishment action. Upon certification by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) that a person who is receiving support payments under this Section is a public aid recipient, any support payments subsequently received by the clerk of the court shall be transmitted to the Department until the Department gives notice to cease such transmittal. If the adverse claimant is entitled to all or part of the indebtedness or other property, the court shall enter judgment in accordance with the interests of the parties.
     (c) Claims for the support of a spouse or dependent children shall be superior to all other claims for garnishment of property.