diane sinkus, pacseti instructor pennsylvania state ... basics and... · pennsylvania state...

ERICSA 53rd Annual Training Conference & Exposition ▪ May 1 - 5 ▪ Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Diane Sinkus, PACSETI InstructorPennsylvania State University

Michaelene MachowiakDeputy Prosecuting Attorney

St. Joseph County, Indiana


Whether you are a newcomer to the world of interstatechild support or you are a more seasoned professional,

this workshop is for you. The session starts with abeginner's guide to processing interstate cases, including

information on UIFSA 2008. Concepts to be discussedinclude establishment, long-arm jurisdiction, registration

of an order in another state for enforcement and/ormodification, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, federal

UIFSA forms and more in-depth issues..


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es Interstate LegislationUniform Reciprocal Enforcement of

Support Act (URESA)Revised Uniform Reciprocal

Enforcement of Support Act(RURESA)Full Faith and Credit for Child Support

Orders Act (FFCCSOA)—10/20/94Uniform Interstate Family

Support Act (UIFSA)


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es Adoption of UIFSAPRWORA mandated all states enact

UIFSA by 1/1/98 The Goal - One Controlling Order Per obligor and child Multiple states may enforce Only one has the jurisdiction to modify

(CEJ)Preventing Sex Trafficking and

Strengthening Families Act Mandates all states enact UIFSA 2008


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es Main AspectsCornerstone of UIFSA and FFCCSOA

-- one order per obligor and childStates must give full faith and credit to

valid child support orders issued byother states.When multiple valid support orders

exist, there are rules for determiningwhich support order governs.


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es Other Key AspectsVisitation may not be raised and is not

a defense to nonpayment.UIFSA has enhanced evidence rules.Non-paternity is not a defense, if

paternity has been established oracknowledged.There are one-state and two-state

procedures.


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es What is an Intergovernmental Case?Parties/parents live in 2 different

states, tribes, or countries.

PA GA


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es Analyzing an Intergovernmental Case

• No order? -- Establish• One order? -- Enforce and/or modify• Multiple orders -- Determine the

valid/controlling order before takingfurther action.


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es Controlling Order and CEJ


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es What is the Difference?Controlling OrderDetermination of

controlling order Multiple valid orders

issued before10/19/94

Done only once

CEJOnly one orderWho can modifyReviewed only

when modificationis sought


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es Is there an Invalid Order?Common scenario todayWhich order was issued first?

Is it still valid? If so, it is the valid order.


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es Is there an Invalid Order?What to do about the subsequent

(invalid) order? Don’t ignore it! A court must determine

that it is invalid. Ask the state that issued it to dismiss it

based on lack of subject matterjurisdiction.

Next option – ask your court to determinewhich is the valid order.

Do NOT ask for a DCO!


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es Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction (CEJ)

Authority to modify the controllingorderOnly pertains to modificationState that issued or last modified the

controlling order has CEJ as long aseither the CP, NCP or child resides inthat state If no party resides in state, CEJ is lost Parties can consent to CEJ to remain in

the state that issued the order


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es CEJ – Important PointsIf the issuing state loses CEJ,

modification must be filed in non-requesting party’s state. (Play Away) The order must be registered in the non-

requesting party’s stateOnce the order has been modified,

that state then has CEJ.


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es CEJ – Important PointsIf another state gains CEJ, it cannot

modify terms of the original controllingorder that are non-modifiable.For example:

Duration (age of emancipation)


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es Example Scenario #1

$250/mo

TX

NY


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es

VT

Example Scenario #2

$350/mo

CT

VVT


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es Example Scenario #3

CA

$750/moOK

FL


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es JurisdictionThe power and authority to hear and

determine a support matter, which mayinclude, but is not limited to: Establishing paternity Establishing a support order Modifying a support order Enforcing the payment and/or other terms

of an existing support obligation


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es Types of JurisdictionSubject-matter jurisdictionPersonal jurisdictionLong-arm jurisdiction (extended

personal jurisdiction)In rem jurisdiction


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es One-State or Two-State Case?When the parents live in 2 different

states, tribes, or countries, you mustdecide whether to: Work the case without involving the other

jurisdiction File an interstate/intergovernmental case

When possible, keep the case in yourstate.How do I do that, you ask?


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es EstablishmentLong-arm: Legal provision that permits

one state to claim personal jurisdictionover someone who lives in anotherstate. Tribunal that establishes the order applies

its laws regarding the support amountand duration. § 303


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es Long-Arm ProvisionsPersonal service of NCP within the stateSubmission to jurisdiction by consent of

NCP By entering a general appearance By filing a responsive document having

the effect of waiving any contest topersonal jurisdiction

NCP lived with the child in the stateNCP lived in the state and provided prenatal

expenses or support for the child


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es Long-Arm ProvisionsChild is living in the state due to

directives or acts of NCPNCP had sexual intercourse in the

state, possibly resulting in conceptionof the childNCP acknowledged or claimed

paternity in the stateOther basis consistent with state and

U.S. Constitutions


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es Direct Income WithholdingDirect Income Withholding

Send IWO on your order across statelines.

If another state issued the order, may beable to ask the other state to redirect toyour SDU. § 319

Communicate with the other state. Keep issuing state informed of any

payments.


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es Advantages of One-State ActionSaves time – no need to involve

another agencyMay be able to establish sooner

You will be more familiar with the order’sprovisions

Enforcement stays within your control


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es Two-State ActionSometimes you need another state’s

helpMight have trouble with location or

service of processObligor might be a job hopperMight need their enforcement

remedies


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es Two-State Case: InitiatingInitiating Process includes:

Verifying obligor’s location Completing all UIFSA required

paperwork Forwarding the documents to the Central

Registry of the responding state Following up on the case

Note: The initiating state may be the statewith CEJ when a modification is requestedand would take that action.


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es Two-State Case: RespondingResponding process includes:

Acknowledging the request Establishing paternity and support, if

requested Enforcing the support order Modifying the order, if requested and you

have CEJ Providing details and updates to the

initiating state


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es Which State’s Laws Apply?Order-issuing StateAmount of supportAge of

emancipation(duration)Interest rate, if anyNature of the order

(e.g. step down,flat/fixed, per child)

Enforcing StateRemedies used

(e.g. driver’s licenseor professionallicense suspension)Court hearingsContempt actionsRegister or enforce

administratively


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es RegistrationProcess by which a support order

issued by one tribunal is filed inanother tribunalTypes

Enforcement-only Modification-only Enforcement and modification

Allows the state in which the order isregistered to take action


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es RegistrationConfirms validity of order and the

amount of the arrears

No objection possible to thesubstantive provisions of the order

20-day contest period available for thenon-registering party


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es Valid Defenses to Registration1) Issuing tribunal lacked personal

jurisdiction over the contesting party.2) Order was obtained by fraud.3) Order has been vacated, suspended,

or modified by a later order.4) Issuing tribunal has stayed the order

pending appeal.5) There is a defense under the law of

this State to the remedy sought.


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es Valid Defenses to Registration6) Full or partial payment has been

made.7) The statute of limitations under § 604

(Choice of Law) precludesenforcement of some or all of thealleged arrearage.

8) The alleged controlling order is notthe controlling order.

Note: Non-parentage is not a defense.


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es What Happens Next?Communicate with each other

Email Phone Fax


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es Electronic ToolsUse the electronic tools available

IRG QUICK CSENet


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es ResourcesUIFSA found at www.uniformlaws.org

(Or on your own state’s online statutesite)

OSCE website:http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/css Browse Resources found on right hand

side of the OCSE home page Review the IRG for state specific details OCES’s Child Support Portal https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/auth/login

diane sinkus, pacseti instructor pennsylvania state ... basics and... · pennsylvania state...

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