reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 2 - JURISDICTION; COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES (§§ 19-11-110 — 19-11-119.1) › Section 19-11-115 - Initiating tribunal; responding tribunal

(a)
A tribunal in Georgia that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of Georgia may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce:
(1)
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 this article; or
(2)
A money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a tribunal of another state is the controlling order.
(b)
A tribunal in Georgia having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce the order.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 2 - JURISDICTION; COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES (§§ 19-11-110 — 19-11-119.1) › Section 19-11-117 - Enforcement of two or more child support orders, at least one of which was issued by another state or foreign country

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 or a foreign country, a tribunal of Georgia shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the orders had been issued by a tribunal of Georgia.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 2 - JURISDICTION; COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES (§§ 19-11-110 — 19-11-119.1) › Section 19-11-118 - Crediting of amounts collected

A tribunal of Georgia 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 Georgia or another state, or a foreign country.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 2 - JURISDICTION; COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES (§§ 19-11-110 — 19-11-119.1) › Section 19-11-119 - Evidentiary issues outside state; application

A tribunal of Georgia exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this article, under other law of Georgia relating to a support order, or recognizing a foreign support order may receive evidence from outside this state pursuant to Code Section
19-11-135
, communicate with a tribunal outside this state pursuant to Code Section
19-11-136
, and obtain discovery through a tribunal outside this state pursuant to Code Section
19-11-137
. In all other respects, Parts 3 through 6 of this article do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of Georgia.
Added by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 2 - JURISDICTION; COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES (§§ 19-11-110 — 19-11-119.1) › Section 19-11-119.1 - Spousal support order; modification; initiating tribunal to request enforcement; responding tribunal to enforce or modify order

(a)
A tribunal of Georgia issuing a spousal support order consistent with the law of Georgia has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal support order throughout the existence of the support obligation.
(b)
A tribunal of Georgia 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 Georgia 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 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-120 - Application of part; initiation of a proceeding

(a)
Except as otherwise provided in this article, this part applies to all proceedings under this article.
(b)
An individual petitioner or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding authorized under this article 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 a foreign country which has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-121 - Representative for 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.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-122 - Governing law and procedure for responding Georgia tribunal

Except as otherwise provided in this article, a responding tribunal of Georgia:
(1)
Shall apply the procedural and substantive law generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in Georgia and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings; and
(2)
Shall determine the duty of support and the amount payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of Georgia.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-123 - Information to be provided to responding tribunal

(a)
Upon the filing of a petition authorized by this article, an initiating tribunal of Georgia 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 Georgia 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, upon request the tribunal of Georgia shall specify the amount of support sought, convert that amount into the equivalent amount in the foreign currency under applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported, and provide any other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding foreign tribunal.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-124 - Receipt of petition of pleading by responding Georgia tribunal; action authorized; limitations; foreign currency conversion

(a)
When a responding tribunal of Georgia receives a petition or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or directly pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section
19-11-120
, it shall cause the petition or pleading to be filed and notify the petitioner where and when it was filed.
(b)
A responding tribunal of Georgia, to the extent not prohibited by other law, may do one or more of the following:
(1)
Establish or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, determine the controlling child support order, or determine parentage of a child;
(2)
Order an obligor to comply with a support order, specifying the amount and the manner of compliance;
(3)
Order income withholding;
(4)
Determine the amount of any arrearages and specify a method of payment;
(5)
Enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both;
(6)
Set aside property for satisfaction of the support order;
(7)
Place liens and order execution on the obligor's property;
(8)
Order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor's current residential address, e-mail address, telephone number, employer, address of employment, and telephone number at the place of employment;
(9)
Issue an order for the arrest of an obligor who has failed after proper notice to appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the arrest order in any local and state computer systems for criminal warrants;
(10)
Order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by specified methods;
(11)
Award reasonable attorney's fees and other fees and costs; and
(12)
Grant any other available remedy.
(c)
A responding tribunal of Georgia shall include in a support order issued under this article, or in the documents accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support order is based.
(d)
A responding tribunal of Georgia may not condition the payment of a support order issued under this article upon compliance by a party with provisions for visitation.
(e)
If a responding tribunal of Georgia issues an order under this article, the tribunal shall send a copy of the order to the petitioner and the respondent and to the initiating tribunal, if any.
(f)
If requested to enforce a support order, arrears, or judgment or modify a support order stated in a foreign currency, a responding tribunal of Georgia shall convert the amount stated in the foreign currency to the equivalent amount in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-125 - Receipt by inappropriate tribunal

If a petition or comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of this state, the tribunal shall forward the pleading and accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal of this state or another state and notify the petitioner where and when the pleading was sent.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-126 - Support enforcement agency's services; determining controlling order; foreign currency conversion; enforcement of support order and income withholding order of another state; absence of fiduciary relationship

(a)
A support enforcement agency of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this article.
(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 Georgia, 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 five days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice in a record from an initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner or other appropriate agency;
(5)
Within five days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of a written 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 judgment stated in a foreign currency shall convert the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amounts 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 Georgia to issue a child support order and an income withholding order that redirect payment of current support, arrears, and interest if requested to do so by a support enforcement agency of another state pursuant to Code Section
19-11-138
.
(f)
This article does not create a relationship of attorney-client or other fiduciary relationship between a support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-127 - Authority of Attorney General

(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 provide those services directly to the individual.
(b)
The Attorney General 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.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 102,§ 2-2, eff. 7/1/2009.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-128 - Employment of private counsel

An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this article.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-129 - State information agency

(a)
The Department of Human Services is the state information agency under this article.
(b)
The state information agency shall:
(1)
Compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this state which have jurisdiction under this article 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 Georgia 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 article received from another state or a foreign country; and
(4)
Obtain information concerning the location of the obligor and the obligor's property within 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, drivers' licenses, and social security.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 102,§ 2-2, eff. 7/1/2009.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-130 - Filing of petition to establish, register, or modify support order; required information; relief sought

(a)
In a proceeding under this article, 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 a foreign country must file a petition. Unless otherwise ordered under Code Section
19-11-131
, 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.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-131 - Nondisclosure of identifying information when health, safety, or liberty at risk; disclosure of information in the interest of justice

If a party alleges in an affidavit or a 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.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-132 - Fees and costs

(a)
The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs.
(b)
If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of Georgia 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 the 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 Part 6 of this article, a hearing is presumed to have been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced without change.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-133 - Personal jurisdiction

(a)
Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding under this article 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 article.
(c)
The immunity granted by this Code section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding under this article committed by a party while physically present in Georgia to participate in the proceeding.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-134 - Defense of nonparentage

A party whose parentage of a child has been previously determined by or pursuant to law may not plead nonparentage as a defense to a proceeding under this article.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-135 - Physical presence of individual nonresident party not required; admissible evidence

(a)
The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of Georgia 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 any of them, which 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 ten 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 Georgia by telephone, telecopier, or other electronic means that do 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 article, a tribunal of Georgia 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 Georgia 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 article.
(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 article.
(j)
A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of the child.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-136 - Communication between tribunals

A tribunal in Georgia may communicate with a tribunal outside this state in a record, or by telephone, e-mail, or other means, to obtain information concerning the laws, the legal effect of a judgment, decree, or order of that tribunal, and the status of a proceeding. A tribunal in Georgia may furnish similar information by similar means to a tribunal outside this state.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-137 - Tribunal's authority to accomplish discovery

A tribunal of this state may:
(1)
Request a tribunal outside this state to assist in obtaining discovery; and
(2)
Upon request, compel a person over which it has jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a tribunal outside this state.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 3 - CIVIL PROVISIONS (§§ 19-11-120 — 19-11-138) › Section 19-11-138 - Disbursement of funds; redirecting payments

(a)
A support enforcement agency or tribunal in Georgia shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state or a foreign country a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received.
(b)
If neither the obligor, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the child resides in this state, upon request from the support enforcement agency of Georgia or another state, the support enforcement agency of this state or a tribunal of this state shall:
(1)
Direct that the support payment be made to the support enforcement agency in the state in which the obligee is receiving services; and
(2)
Issue and send to the obligor's employer a conforming income withholding order or an administrative notice of change of payee, reflecting the redirected payments.
(c)
The support enforcement agency of this state receiving redirected payments from another state pursuant to a law similar to subsection (b) of this Code section shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amount and dates of all payments received.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 4 - ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPPORT ORDER (§§ 19-11-140 — 19-11-141) › Section 19-11-140 - Authority of tribunal upon failure to issue support order; temporary child support order

(a)
If a support order entitled to recognition under this article has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this state with personal jurisdiction over the parties may issue a support order if:
(1)
The individual seeking the order resides outside this state; or
(2)
The support enforcement agency seeking the order is located outside this state.
(b)
The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order if the tribunal determines that such an order is appropriate and the individual ordered to pay is:
(1)
A presumed father of the child;
(2)
Petitioning to have his paternity adjudicated;
(3)
Identified as the father of the child through genetic testing;
(4)
An alleged father who has declined to submit to genetic testing;
(5)
Shown by clear and convincing evidence to be the father of the child;
(6)
An acknowledged father as provided by applicable state law or the law of a foreign country;
(7)
The mother of the child; or
(8)
An individual who has been ordered to pay child support in a previous proceeding and the order has not been reversed or vacated.
(c)
Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be heard, that an obligor owes a duty of support, the tribunal shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may issue other orders pursuant to Code Section
19-11-124
.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 4 - ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPPORT ORDER (§§ 19-11-140 — 19-11-141) › Section 19-11-141 - Responding tribunal

A tribunal of Georgia authorized to determine parentage of a child may serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage of a child brought under this article or a law or procedure substantially similar to this article.
Added by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 5 - DIRECT ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-150 — 19-11-156) › Section 19-11-150 - Issuance of income withholding orders

An income withholding order issued in another state may be sent by or on behalf of the obligee, or by the support enforcement agency, to the person defined as the obligor's employer pursuant to Code Sections
19-6-32
through
19-6-33.1
without first filing a petition or comparable pleading or registering the order with a tribunal of this state.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 242,§ 1-28, eff. 7/1/2017.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 5 - DIRECT ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-150 — 19-11-156) › Section 19-11-151 - Obligation of employer upon receipt of income withholding order

(a)
Upon receipt of an income withholding order, the obligor's employer shall immediately provide a copy of the order to the obligor.
(b)
The employer shall treat an income withholding order issued in another state which appears regular on its face as if it had been issued by a tribunal of Georgia.
(c)
Except as otherwise provided by subsection (d) of this Code section and Code Section
19-11-152
, the employer shall withhold and distribute the funds as directed in the withholding order by complying with the terms of the order which specify:
(1)
The duration and the amount of periodic payments of current child support, stated as a sum certain;
(2)
The person designated to receive payments and the address to which the payments are to be forwarded;
(3)
Medical support, whether in the form of periodic cash payment, stated as a sum certain, or ordering the obligor to provide health insurance coverage for the child under a policy available through the obligor's employment;
(4)
The amount of periodic payments of fees and costs for a support enforcement agency, the issuing tribunal, and the obligee's attorney, stated as sums certain; and
(5)
The amount of periodic payments of arrearages and interest on arrearages, stated as sums certain.
(d)
An employer shall comply with the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment for withholding from income with respect to:
(1)
The employer's fee for processing an income withholding order;
(2)
The maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor's income; and
(3)
The time periods within which the employer must implement the withholding order and forward the child support payment.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 5 - DIRECT ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-150 — 19-11-156) › Section 19-11-152 - Receipt of two or more income withholding orders

If an obligor's employer receives two or more income withholding orders with respect to the earnings of the same obligor, the employer satisfies the terms of the orders if the employer complies with the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment to establish the priorities for withholding and allocating income withheld for two or more child support obligees.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 5 - DIRECT ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-150 — 19-11-156) › Section 19-11-153 - Employer's civil liability

An employer that complies with an income withholding order issued in another state in accordance with this article is not subject to civil liability to an individual or agency with regard to the employer's withholding of child support from the obligor's income.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 5 - DIRECT ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-150 — 19-11-156) › Section 19-11-154 - Penalties for employer's noncompliance

An employer that willfully fails to comply with an income withholding order issued in another state and received for enforcement is subject to the same penalties that may be imposed for noncompliance with an order issued by a tribunal in Georgia.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 5 - DIRECT ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-150 — 19-11-156) › Section 19-11-155 - Contesting of order from another tribunal

(a)
An obligor may contest the validity or enforcement of an income withholding order issued in another state and received directly by an employer in Georgia by registering the order in a tribunal of Georgia and filing a contest to that order as provided in Part 6 of this article, or otherwise contesting the order in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of Georgia.
(b)
The obligor shall give notice of the contest to:
(1)
Any support enforcement agency providing services to the obligee;
(2)
Each employer that has directly received an income withholding order relating to the obligor; and
(3)
The person designated to receive payments in the income withholding order or, if no person is designated, to the obligee.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 5 - DIRECT ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-150 — 19-11-156) › Section 19-11-156 - Enforcement of orders issued by another state or foreign country

(a)
A party or support enforcement agency seeking to enforce a support order or an income withholding order, or both, issued in another state or a foreign support order may send the documents required for registering the order to a support enforcement agency of Georgia.
(b)
Upon receipt of the documents, the support enforcement agency, without initially seeking to register the order, shall consider and, if appropriate, use any administrative procedure authorized by the law of Georgia to enforce a support order or an income withholding order, or both. If the obligor does not contest administrative enforcement, the order need not be registered. If the obligor contests the validity or administrative enforcement of the order, the support enforcement agency shall register the order pursuant to this article.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 6 - ENFORCEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT ORDER AFTER REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-160 — 19-11-175) › Section 19-11-160 - Registration of orders issued by another state or foreign country

A support order or income withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order may be registered in Georgia for enforcement.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 6 - ENFORCEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT ORDER AFTER REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-160 — 19-11-175) › Section 19-11-161 - Requirements for registration of orders issued by another state or foreign country; other filings

(a)
Except as otherwise provided in Code Section
19-11-184.1
, a support order or income withholding order of another state or a foreign support order may be registered in Georgia by sending the following records to the appropriate tribunal in Georgia:
(1)
A letter of transmittal to the tribunal requesting registration and enforcement;
(2)
Two copies, including one certified copy, of the order to be registered, including any modification of the order;
(3)
A sworn statement by the person requesting registration or a certified statement by the custodian of the records showing the amount of any arrearage;
(4)
The name of the obligor and, if known:
(A)
The obligor's address and social security number;
(B)
The name and address of the obligor's employer and any other source of income of the obligor; and
(C)
A description and the location of property of the obligor in Georgia not exempt from execution; and
(5)
Except as otherwise provided in Code Section
19-11-131
, the name and address of the obligee and, if applicable, the person to whom support payments are to be remitted.
(b)
On receipt of a request for registration, the registering tribunal shall cause the order to be filed as an order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign support order, together with one copy of the documents and information, regardless of their form.
(c)
A petition, motion, or comparable filing seeking a remedy that must be affirmatively sought under other laws of this state, and discovery incident thereto, may be filed at the same time as the request for registration or later. The pleading, motion, or other filing must specify the grounds for the remedy sought. For purposes of this subsection, remedies sought may include, but are not limited to, a rule for contempt or a petition for income withholding.
(d)
If two or more orders are in effect, the person requesting registration shall:
(1)
Furnish to the tribunal a copy of every support order asserted to be in effect in addition to the documents specified in this Code section;
(2)
Specify the order alleged to be the controlling order, if any; and
(3)
Specify the amount of consolidated arrears, if any.
(e)
A request for a determination of which is the controlling order may be filed separately or with a request for registration and enforcement or for registration and modification. The person requesting registration shall give notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected by the determination.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 7, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 6 - ENFORCEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT ORDER AFTER REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-160 — 19-11-175) › Section 19-11-162 - Filing in Georgia tribunal required for registration; enforcement; modification

(a)
A support order or income withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of Georgia.
(b)
A registered support order issued in another state or a foreign country is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal in Georgia.
(c)
Except as otherwise provided in this part, a tribunal in Georgia shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, a registered support order if the issuing tribunal had jurisdiction.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 428,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 19 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 19-1-1 — 19-15-7) › Chapter 11 - ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT (§§ 19-11-1 — 19-11-191) › Article 3 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT (§§ 19-11-100 — 19-11-191) › Part 6 - ENFORCEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT ORDER AFTER REGISTRATION (§§ 19-11-160 — 19-11-175) › Section 19-11-163 - Governing law; statute of limitations; application of procedural and remedial law of Georgia; prospective application of law of other state or foreign country

(a)
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, the law of the issuing state or foreign country governs:
(1)
The nature, extent, amount, and duration of current payments under a registered support order;
(2)
The computation and payment of arrearages and accrual of interest on the arrearages under the support order; and
(3)
The existence and satisfaction of other obligations under the support order.
(b)
In a proceeding for arrears under a registered support order, the statute of limitation of Georgia or of the issuing state or foreign country, whichever is longer, applies.
(c)
A responding tribunal of Georgia shall apply the procedures and remedies of this state to enforce current support and collect arrears and interest due on a support order of another state or a foreign country registered in Georgia.
(d)
After a tribunal of Georgia or another state determines which is the controlling order and issues an order consolidating arrears, if any, a tribunal of Georgia shall prospectively apply the law of the state or foreign country issuing the controlling order, including its law on interest on arrears, on current and future support, and on consolidated arrears.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 224,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.