2012 Indiana Code
TITLE 31. FAMILY LAW AND JUVENILE LAW
ARTICLE 16. FAMILY LAW: SUPPORT OF CHILDREN AND OTHER DEPENDENTS
CHAPTER 20. TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION OVER SUPPORT ORDERS

IC 31-16-20
Chapter 20. Transfer of Jurisdiction Over Support Orders

IC 31-16-20-1
Application of chapter
Sec. 1. This chapter applies whenever:
(1) there is pending in an Indiana court an order requiring a parent to make regular payments for the support of the parent's children:
(A) subsequent to the dissolution of the marriage of the parents of the children;
(B) as a result of a paternity action under IC 31-14 (or IC 31-6-6.1 before its repeal);
(C) as a result of a legal separation action under IC 31-15-3; or
(D) as a result of a child support action under IC 31-16-2; and
(2) it is shown to the court in which the order is pending that:
(A) the parent or other person rightfully having custody of the children is residing in a different county in Indiana from the county in which the:
(i) dissolution;
(ii) order under IC 31-14 (or IC 31-6-6.1 before its repeal);
(iii) order under IC 31-15-3; or
(iv) order under IC 31-16-2;
was obtained;
(B) the other parent of the children:
(i) no longer resides; or
(ii) is not regularly found;
in the county in which the dissolution, order under IC 31-14 (or IC 31-6-6.1 before its repeal), order under IC 31-15-3, or order under IC 31-16-2 was obtained; and
(C) it would be in the best interests of the children.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.197-1997, SEC.12.

IC 31-16-20-2
Order of transfer of proceedings
Sec. 2. The court may order the proceedings with:
(1) all papers and files pertaining to the order for support; and
(2) certified copies of all orders for support;
transferred to the court having jurisdiction over such matters in the county in which the parent or other person having custody of the children is residing.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

IC 31-16-20-3
Acceptance of proceedings by transferee court
Sec. 3. The court to which the proceedings are transferred:
(1) shall accept the proceedings; and
(2) thereafter has jurisdiction over the children and matters

relating to their support by the parent so ordered.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

IC 31-16-20-4
Docket; civil costs fee
Sec. 4. The proceedings that are transferred shall be docketed as other civil matters are docketed, and a civil costs fee as provided in IC 33-37-4-4 shall be collected.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.98-2004, SEC.102.

IC 31-16-20-5
Hearing requirement; contents of petition; notice
Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in section 6 of this chapter, the order for the transfer of the proceedings may be made only after a hearing is held on a petition filed by or on behalf of the parent or other person having custody of the children.
(b) The petition must:
(1) set forth:
(A) the facts upon which the petition is based; and
(B) the reasons for requesting the transfer of the proceedings; and
(2) be verified.
(c) Notice shall be issued on the petition to the other parent notifying the other parent of:
(1) the pendency of the petition; and
(2) the time and place where the hearing will be heard.
(d) The hearing court shall:
(1) advance the hearing on the docket; and
(2) promptly hold the hearing.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

IC 31-16-20-6
Transfer without notice and hearing
Sec. 6. A court may enter an order for transfer of the proceedings without notice and a hearing if the petition required under section 5 of this chapter is:
(1) a joint petition; and
(2) filed on behalf of and verified by:
(A) the custodial parent or a person having custody of the children; and
(B) the noncustodial parent.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

IC 31-16-20-7
Application of chapter; multiple transfers
Sec. 7. (a) This chapter applies to proceedings pending in:
(1) the court in which the dissolution was obtained; or
(2) any other court to which the proceedings have been transferred.
(b) Any number of transfers may be made, as the best interests of

the children require.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.