2013 Mississippi Code
Title 93 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS
Chapter 25 - UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT
CIVIL PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
§ 93-25-39 - Duties of support enforcement agency

(1) A support enforcement agency of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter.

(2) A support enforcement agency that is providing services to the petitioner as appropriate shall:

(a) Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal in this state or another state to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;

(b) Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time and place for a hearing;

(c) Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties;

(d) Within two (2) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice from initiating, responding or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;

(e) Within two (2) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of a written communication from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and

(f) Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.

(3) A support enforcement agency of this state that is requesting registration of a child support order for enforcement or for modification in this state shall make reasonable efforts:

(a) To ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order; or

(b) To ensure that, if two (2) or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal with jurisdiction to do so.

(4) A support enforcement agency of this state that is requesting 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 applicable official exchange rates as publicly reported.

(5) A support enforcement agency of this state shall 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 93-25-63.

(6) 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.