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Family Code - FAM


Published: 2015-07-08

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Family Code - FAM

DIVISION 9. SUPPORT [3500 - 5616]

  ( Division 9 enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. )

PART 5. ENFORCEMENT OF SUPPORT ORDERS [4500 - 5616]

  ( Part 5 enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. )

CHAPTER 6. Uniform Interstate Family Support Act [4900 - 5005]

  ( Chapter 6 repealed and added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. )
ARTICLE 2. Jurisdiction [4905 - 4914]
  ( Article 2 and added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. )

4905.  

In a proceeding to establish, enforce, or modify a support order or to determine parentage, a tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual’s guardian or conservator if any of the following apply:

(1) The individual is personally served with notice within this state.

(2) The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent, by entering a general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction.

(3) The individual resided with the child in this state.

(4) The individual resided in this state and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child.

(5) The child resides in this state as a result of the acts or directives of the individual.

(6) The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse.

(7) The individual has filed a declaration of paternity pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 7570) of Part 2 of Division 12.

(8) There is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998. Superseded on operative date (July 1, 2004, or later) of amendment by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, as further amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538.)

4905.  

(a) In a proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage, a tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual’s guardian or conservator if any of the following apply:

(1) The individual is personally served with notice within this state.

(2) The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent, by entering a general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction.

(3) The individual resided with the child in this state.

(4) The individual resided in this state and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child.

(5) The child resides in this state as a result of the acts or directives of the individual.

(6) The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse.

(7) The individual has filed a declaration of paternity pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 7570) of Part 2 of Division 12.

(8) There is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.

(b) The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in subdivision (a) or in any other law of this state may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of the state to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of Section 4960 or 4964 are met.

(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349) by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 159. Effective January 1, 2007. Amendments conditionally operative as provided in Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 47. Note: This amending action operated on Jan. 1, 2007, to succeed the Ch. 349 version, but this amended version remains subject to the operational condition applicable to that previous version.)

4906.  

A tribunal of this state exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident under Section 4905 may apply Section 4930 to receive evidence from another state, and Section 4932 to obtain discovery through a tribunal of another state. In all other respects, Articles 3 (commencing with Section 4915) through 7 (commencing with Section 4965), inclusive, do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state, including the rules on choice of law other than those established by this chapter.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998. Superseded on operative date (July 1, 2004, or later) of amendment by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349.)

4906.  

Personal jurisdiction acquired by a tribunal of this state in a proceeding under this chapter or other law of this state relating to a support order continues as long as a tribunal of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to enforce its order as provided by Section 4909, 4910, or 4914.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2003. Operative July 1, 2004, or later, upon federal government action specified in Sec. 47 of Ch. 349.)

4907.  

Under this chapter, a tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to forward proceedings to another state and as a responding tribunal for proceedings initiated in another state.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)

4908.  

(a) A tribunal of this state may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed after a pleading is filed in another state only if all of the following circumstances exist:

(1) The petition or comparable pleading in this state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state.

(2) The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state.

(3) If relevant, this state is the home state of the child.

(b) A tribunal of this state may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state if all of the following circumstances exist:

(1) The petition or comparable pleading in the other state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this state for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this state.

(2) The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this state.

(3) If relevant, the other state is the home state of the child.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)

4909.  

(a) A tribunal of this state issuing a support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a child support order:

(1) As long as this state remains the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued; or

(2) Until all of the parties who are individuals have filed written consents with the tribunal of this state for a tribunal of another state to modify the order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

(b) A tribunal of this state issuing a child support order consistent with the law of this state may not exercise its continuing jurisdiction to modify the order if the order has been modified by a tribunal of another state pursuant to this chapter or a law substantially similar to this chapter.

(c) If a child support order of this state is modified by a tribunal of another state pursuant to this chapter or a law substantially similar to this chapter, a tribunal of this state loses its continuing, exclusive jurisdiction with regard to prospective enforcement of the order issued in this state, and may only:

(1) Enforce the order that was modified as to amounts accruing before the modification;

(2) Enforce nonmodifiable aspects of that order; and

(3) Provide other appropriate relief for violations of that order which occurred before the effective date of the modification.

(d) A tribunal of this state shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of a tribunal of another state which has issued a child support order pursuant to this chapter or a law substantially similar to this chapter.

(e) A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.

(f) A tribunal of this state issuing a support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order throughout the existence of the support obligation. A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of another state having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998. Superseded on operative date (July 1, 2004, or later) of amendment by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349.)

4909.  

(a) A tribunal of this state that has issued a support order consistent with the law of this state has and shall exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its child support order, if the order is the controlling order and either of the following applies:

(1) At the time of filing the request for modification, this state is the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued.

(2) Even if this state is not the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued, the parties consent in a record or in open court that the tribunal of this state may continue to exercise jurisdiction to modify its order.

(b) A tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this state may not exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the order if either of the following applies:

(1) All of the parties who are individuals file consent in a record with the tribunal of this state that a tribunal of another state that has jurisdiction over at least one of the parties who is an individual or that is located in the state of residence of the child may modify the order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

(2) Its order is not the controlling order.

(c) If a tribunal of another state has issued a child support order pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or a law substantially similar to that act which modifies a child support order of a tribunal of this state, tribunals of this state shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal of the other state.

(d) A tribunal of this state that lacks continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify a child support order may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to modify a support order issued in that state.

(e) A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2003. Operative July 1, 2004, or later, upon federal government action specified in Sec. 47 of Ch. 349.)

4910.  

(a) A tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce or modify a support order issued in that state.

(b) A tribunal of this state having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce or modify the order. If a party subject to the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal no longer resides in the issuing state, in subsequent proceedings the tribunal may apply Section 4930 to receive evidence from another state and Section 4932 to obtain discovery through a tribunal of another state.

(c) A tribunal of this state which lacks continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may not serve as a responding tribunal to modify a spousal support order of another state.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998. Superseded on operative date (July 1, 2004, or later) of amendment by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349.)

4910.  

(a) A tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce the order, if the order is the controlling order and has not been modified by a tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or a money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of another state is the controlling order.

(b) A tribunal of this state having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce the order.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2003. Operative July 1, 2004, or later, upon federal government action specified in Sec. 47 of Ch. 349.)

4911.  

(a) If a proceeding is brought under this chapter and only one tribunal has issued a child support order, the order of that tribunal controls and shall be so recognized.

(b) If a proceeding is brought under this chapter, and two or more child support orders have been issued by tribunals of this state or another state with regard to the same obligor and child, a tribunal of this state shall apply the following rules in determining which order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction:

(1) If only one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter, the order of that tribunal controls and shall be so recognized.

(2) If more than one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter, an order issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child controls and shall be so recognized, but if an order has not been issued in the current home state of the child, the order most recently issued controls and shall be so recognized.

(3) If none of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter, the tribunal of this state having jurisdiction over the parties shall issue a child support order, which controls and shall be so recognized.

(c) If two or more child support orders have been issued for the same obligor and child and if the obligor or the individual obligee resides in this state, a party may request a tribunal of this state to determine which order controls and shall be so recognized under subdivision (b). The request shall be accompanied by a certified copy of every support order in effect. The requesting party shall give notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected by the determination.

(d) The tribunal that issued the controlling order under subdivision (a), (b), or (c) is the tribunal that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under Section 4909.

(e) A tribunal of this state which determines by order the identity of the controlling order under paragraphs (1) or (2) of subdivision (b) or which issues a new controlling order under paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) shall state in that order the basis upon which the tribunal made its determination.

(f) Within 30 days after issuance of an order determining the identity of the controlling order, the party obtaining the order shall file a certified copy of it with each tribunal that issued or registered an earlier order of child support. A party who obtains the order and fails to file a certified copy is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises. The failure to file does not affect the validity or enforceability of the controlling order.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998. Superseded on operative date (July 1, 2004, or later) of amendment by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349.)

4911.  

(a) If a proceeding is brought under this chapter and only one tribunal has issued a child support order, the order of that tribunal controls and shall be so recognized.

(b) If a proceeding is brought under this chapter, and two or more child support orders have been issued by tribunals of this state or another state with regard to the same obligor and same child, a tribunal of this state having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and individual obligee shall apply the following rules and by order shall determine which order controls:

(1) If only one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter, the order of that tribunal controls and shall be so recognized.

(2) If more than one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter, an order issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child controls, but if an order has not been issued in the current home state of the child, the order most recently issued controls.

(3) If none of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this chapter, the tribunal of this state shall issue a child support order, which controls.

(c) If two or more child support orders have been issued for the same obligor and same child, upon request of a party who is an individual or a support agency, a tribunal of this state having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and the obligee who is an individual shall determine which order controls under subdivision (b). The request may be filed with a registration for enforcement or registration for modification pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 4950), or may be filed as a separate proceeding.

(d) A request to determine which is the controlling order shall be accompanied by a copy of every child support order in effect and the applicable record of payments. The requesting party shall give notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected by the determination.

(e) The tribunal that issued the controlling order under subdivision (a), (b), or (c) has continuing jurisdiction to the extent provided in Section 4909 or 4910.

(f) A tribunal of this state that determines by order which is the controlling order under paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b) or subdivision (c), or that issues a new controlling order under paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), shall state in that order the basis upon which the tribunal made its determination, the amount of prospective support, if any, and the total amount of consolidated arrears and accrued interest, if any, under all of the orders after all payments made are credited as provided by Section 4913.

(g) Within 30 days after issuance of an order determining which is the controlling order, the party obtaining the order shall file a certified copy of it in each tribunal that issued or registered an earlier order of child support. A party or support enforcement agency obtaining the order that fails to file a certified copy is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises. The failure to file does not affect the validity or enforceability of the controlling order.

(h) An order that has been determined to be the controlling order, or a judgment for consolidated arrears of support and interest, if any, made pursuant to this section shall be recognized in proceedings under this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2003. Operative July 1, 2004, or later, upon federal government action specified in Sec. 47 of Ch. 349.)

4912.  

In responding to multiple registrations or petitions for enforcement of two or more child support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of which was issued by a tribunal of another state, a tribunal of this state shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the multiple orders had been issued by a tribunal of this state.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998. Superseded on operative date (July 1, 2004, or later) of amendment by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349.)

4912.  

In responding to registrations or petitions for enforcement of two or more child support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of which was issued by a tribunal of another state, a tribunal of this state shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the orders had been issued by a tribunal of this state.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2003. Operative July 1, 2004, or later, upon federal government action specified in Sec. 47 of Ch. 349.)

4913.  

Amounts collected and credited for a particular period pursuant to a support order issued by a tribunal of another state shall be credited against the amounts accruing or accrued for the same period under a support order issued by the tribunal of this state.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 194, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998. Superseded on operative date (July 1, 2004, or later) of amendment by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349.)

4913.  

A tribunal of this state shall credit amounts collected for a particular period pursuant to any child support order against the amounts owed for the same period under any other child support order for support of the same child issued by a tribunal of this or another state.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2003. Operative July 1, 2004, or later, upon federal government action specified in Sec. 47 of Ch. 349.)

4913.5.  

A tribunal of this state exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this chapter, under other law of this state relating to a support order, or recognizing a support order of a foreign country or political subdivision on the basis of comity may receive evidence from another state pursuant to Section 4930, communicate with a tribunal of another state pursuant to Section 4931, and obtain discovery through a tribunal of another state pursuant to Section 4932. In all other respects, Article 3 (commencing with Section 4905) to Article 7 (commencing with Section 4965), inclusive, do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2003. Operative July 1, 2004, or later, upon federal government action specified in Sec. 47 of Ch. 349.)

4914.  

(a) A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal support order throughout the existence of the support obligation.

(b) A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of another state having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state.

(c) A tribunal of this state that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may serve as either of the following:

(1) An initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce the spousal support order issued in this state.

(2) A responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own spousal support order.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 349, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2003. Operative July 1, 2004, or later, upon federal government action specified in Sec. 47 of Ch. 349.)