Me. Stat. tit. 19-A § 3007

Current through 131st (2023-2024) Legislature Chapter 684
Section 3007 - Duties of the department as the support enforcement agency
1.Services to petitioner. The department, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter.

[2009, c. 95, §39(AMD); 2009, c. 95, §87(AFF).]

2.Duties. If the department provides services to the petitioner, the department shall:
A. Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal of this State or another state or a foreign country to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent; [2009, c. 95, §40(AMD); 2009, c. 95, §87(AFF).]
B. Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time and place for a hearing; [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2(NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2(AFF).]
C. Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties; [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2(NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2(AFF).]
D. Within 2 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; [2003, c. 436, §17(AMD).]
E. Within 2 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 [2003, c. 436, §17(AMD).]
F. Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent can not be obtained. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2(NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2(AFF).]

[2009, c. 95, §40(AMD); 2009, c. 95, §87(AFF).]

2-A.Registration; reasonable efforts. If the department requests registration of a child support order in this State for enforcement or for modification, the department shall make reasonable efforts:
A. To ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order; or [2003, c. 436, §18(NEW).]
B. If 2 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. [2003, c. 436, §18(NEW).]

[2003, c. 436, §18(NEW).]

2-B.Conversion of amounts to dollars. If the department requests registration and enforcement of a support order, arrears or judgment stated in a foreign currency, the department 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.

[2003, c. 436, §18(NEW).]

2-C.Issuance upon request. The department shall issue or request a tribunal of this State 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 section 3019.

[2009, c. 95, §41(AMD); 2009, c. 95, §87(AFF).]

3.No attorney or fiduciary relationship. This chapter does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between the department or the attorney for the department and the individual being assisted by the department.

[1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2(NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2(AFF).]

19-A M.R.S. § 3007

1995, c. 694, §B2 (NEW) . 1995, c. 694, §E2 (AFF) . 2003, c. 436, §§17,18 (AMD) . 2009, c. 95, §§39-41 (AMD) . 2009, c. 95, § 87 (AFF) .