reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Fam Code § 159.211 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter C. Jurisdiction|Section 159.211. Continuing, Exclusive Jurisdiction to Modify Spousal Support Order

Sec. 159.211.  CONTINUING, EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO MODIFY SPOUSAL SUPPORT ORDER.  (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 or a foreign country having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state or foreign country.(c)  A tribunal of this state that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may serve as:(1)  an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce the spousal support order issued in this state;  or(2)  a responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own spousal support order.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 15, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.301 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.301. Proceedings Under Chapter

Sec. 159.301.  PROCEEDINGS UNDER CHAPTER.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, this subchapter applies to all proceedings under this chapter.(b)  Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 46.(c)  An individual petitioner or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding authorized under this chapter by filing a petition in an initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or by filing a petition or a comparable pleading directly in a tribunal of another state or foreign country that has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 607, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 13, 46, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 16, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.302 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.302. Proceeding by Minor Parent

Sec. 159.302.  PROCEEDING BY MINOR PARENT.  A minor parent or a guardian or other legal representative of a minor parent may maintain a proceeding on behalf of or for the benefit of the minor's child.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Fam Code § 159.303 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.303. Application of Law of State

Sec. 159.303.  APPLICATION OF LAW OF STATE.  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a responding tribunal of this state shall:(1)  apply the procedural and substantive law generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in this state and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings;  and(2)  determine the duty of support and the amount payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of this state.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 607, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Fam Code § 159.304 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.304. Duties of Initiating Tribunal

Sec. 159.304.  DUTIES OF INITIATING TRIBUNAL.  (a)  On the filing of a petition authorized by this chapter, an initiating tribunal of this state shall forward the petition and its accompanying documents:(1)  to the responding tribunal or appropriate support enforcement agency in the responding state;  or(2)  if the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown, to the state information agency of the responding state with a request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal and that receipt be acknowledged.(b)  If requested by the responding tribunal, a tribunal of this state shall issue a certificate or other document and make findings required by the law of the responding state.  If the responding tribunal is in a foreign country, on request the tribunal of this state shall specify the amount of support sought, convert that amount into the equivalent amount in the foreign currency under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported, and provide any other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding foreign tribunal.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 607, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 17, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.306 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.306. Inappropriate Tribunal

Sec. 159.306.  INAPPROPRIATE TRIBUNAL.  If a petition or comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of this state, that tribunal shall forward the pleading and accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal in this state or another state and notify the petitioner where and when the pleading was sent.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 607, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Fam Code § 159.307 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.307. Duties of Support Enforcement Agency

Sec. 159.307.  DUTIES OF SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.  (a)  A support enforcement agency of this state, on request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter.(b)  A support enforcement agency of this state that is providing services to the petitioner shall:(1)  take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal of this state, another state, or a foreign country to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;(2)  request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time, and place for a hearing;(3)  make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties;(4)  within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of notice in a record from an initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;(5)  within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of communication in a record from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and(6)  notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.(c)  A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration of a child support order in this state for enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts:(1)  to ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order; or(2)  if two or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, to ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal having jurisdiction to do so.(d)  A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration and enforcement of a support order, arrears, or a judgment stated in a foreign currency shall convert the amount stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amount in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported.(e)  A support enforcement agency of this state shall issue, or request a tribunal of this state to issue, a child support order and an income-withholding order that redirects payment of current support, arrears, and interest if requested to do so by a support enforcement agency of another state under Section 159.319.(f)  This chapter does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 607, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 19, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.308 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.308. Duty of Attorney General and Governor

Sec. 159.308.  DUTY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL AND GOVERNOR.  (a)  If the attorney general determines that the support enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services to an individual, the attorney general may order the agency to perform its duties under this chapter or may provide those services directly to the individual.(b)  The governor may determine that a foreign country has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state and take appropriate action for notification of the determination.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 18, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 20, eff. July 1, 2015.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 21, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.309 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.309. Private Counsel

Sec. 159.309.  PRIVATE COUNSEL.  An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this chapter.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.|
TX Fam Code § 159.310 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.310. Duties of State Information Agency

Sec. 159.310.  DUTIES OF STATE INFORMATION AGENCY.  (a)  The Title IV-D agency is the state information agency under this chapter.(b)  The state information agency shall:(1)  compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this state that have jurisdiction under this chapter and any support enforcement agencies in this state and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state;(2)  maintain a register of names and addresses of tribunals and support enforcement agencies received from other states;(3)  forward to the appropriate tribunal in the county in this state in which the obligee who is an individual or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor's property is believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding under this chapter received from another state or a foreign country; and(4)  obtain information concerning the location of the obligor and the obligor's property in this state not exempt from execution, by such means as postal verification and federal or state locator services, examination of telephone directories, requests for the obligor's address from employers, and examination of governmental records, including, to the extent not prohibited by other law, those relating to real property, vital statistics, law enforcement, taxation, motor vehicles, driver's licenses, and social security.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 22, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.311 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.311. Pleadings and Accompanying Documents

Sec. 159.311.  PLEADINGS AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS.  (a)  In a proceeding under this chapter, a petitioner seeking to establish a support order, to determine parentage of a child, or to register and modify a support order of a tribunal of another state or foreign country must file a petition. Unless otherwise ordered under Section 159.312, the petition or accompanying documents must provide, so far as known, the name, residential address, and social security numbers of the obligor and the obligee or the parent and alleged parent, and the name, sex, residential address, social security number, and date of birth of each child for whose benefit support is sought or whose parentage is to be determined.  Unless filed at the time of registration, the petition must be accompanied by a copy of any support order known to have been issued by another tribunal. The petition may include any other information that may assist in locating or identifying the respondent.(b)  The petition must specify the relief sought.  The petition and accompanying documents must conform substantially with the requirements imposed by the forms mandated by federal law for use in cases filed by a support enforcement agency.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 23, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.312 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.312. Nondisclosure of Information in Exceptional Circumstances

Sec. 159.312.  NONDISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.  If a party alleges in an affidavit or pleading under oath that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of specific identifying information, that information must be sealed and may not be disclosed to the other party or the public.  After a hearing in which a tribunal takes into consideration the health, safety, or liberty of the party or child, the tribunal may order disclosure of information that the tribunal determines to be in the interest of justice.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 21, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 24, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.313 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.313. Costs and Fees

Sec. 159.313.  COSTS AND FEES.  (a)  The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs.(b)  If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of this state may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable attorney's fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee's witnesses.  The tribunal may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either the initiating or responding state or foreign country, except as provided by other law.  Attorney's fees may be taxed as costs, and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney's own name.  Payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs, and expenses.(c)  The tribunal shall order the payment of costs and reasonable attorney's fees if it determines that a hearing was requested primarily for delay.  In a proceeding under Subchapter G, a hearing is presumed to have been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced without change.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 607, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 25, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.314 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.314. Limited Immunity of Petitioner

Sec. 159.314.  LIMITED IMMUNITY OF PETITIONER.  (a)  Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter before a responding tribunal, whether in person, by private attorney, or through services provided by the support enforcement agency, does not confer personal jurisdiction over the petitioner in another proceeding.(b)  A petitioner is not amenable to service of civil process while physically present in this state to participate in a proceeding under this chapter.(c)  The immunity granted by this section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding under this chapter committed by a party while physically present in this state to participate in the proceeding.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 22, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 26, eff. July 1, 2015.|
TX Fam Code § 159.315 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.315. Nonparentage as Defense

Sec. 159.315.  NONPARENTAGE AS DEFENSE.  A party whose parentage of a child has been previously determined by or under law may not plead nonparentage as a defense to a proceeding under this chapter.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.|
TX Fam Code § 159.316 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Family Code|Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship|Chapter 159 - Uniform Interstate Family Support Act|Subchapter D. Civil Provisions of General Application|Section 159.316. Special Rules of Evidence and Procedure

Sec. 159.316.  SPECIAL RULES OF EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURE.  (a)  The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of this state is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage of a child.(b)  An affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally mandated forms, or a document incorporated by reference in an affidavit or document, that would not be excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under penalty of perjury by a party or witness residing outside this state.(c)  A copy of the record of child support payments certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal.  The copy is evidence of facts asserted in it and is admissible to show whether payments were made.(d)  Copies of bills for testing for parentage of a child, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child furnished to the adverse party at least 10 days before trial are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary, and customary.(e)  Documentary evidence transmitted from outside this state to a tribunal of this state by telephone, telecopier, or other electronic means that does not provide an original record may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.(f)  In a proceeding under this chapter, a tribunal of this state shall permit a party or witness residing outside this state to be deposed or to testify under penalty of perjury by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location.  A tribunal of this state shall cooperate with other tribunals in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.(g)  If a party called to testify at a civil hearing refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.(h)  A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses does not apply in a proceeding under this chapter.(i)  The defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child does not apply in a proceeding under this chapter.(j)  A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of the child.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1247, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 344 (S.B. 1151), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 368 (H.B. 3538), Sec. 27, eff. July 1, 2015.|