2006 Oklahoma Code - Title 43. — Marriage and Family

OKLAHOMA STATUTES

TITLE 43.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILTY

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§431.  Marriage defined.

Marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract to which the consent of parties legally competent of contracting and of entering into it is necessary, and the marriage relation shall only be entered into, maintained or abrogated as provided by law.

R.L.1910, § 3883.  

§432.  Consanguinity.

Marriages between ancestors and descendants of any degree, of a stepfather with a stepdaughter, stepmother with stepson, between uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews, except in cases where such relationship is only by marriage, between brothers and sisters of the half as well as the whole blood, and first cousins are declared to be incestuous, illegal and void, and are expressly prohibited. Provided, that any marriage of first cousins performed in another state authorizing such marriages, which is otherwise legal, is hereby recognized as valid and binding in this state as of the date of such marriage.

R.L.1910, § 3884; Laws 1965, c. 101, § 1; Laws 1967, c. 344, § 1; Laws 1969, c. 139, § 1, emerg. eff. April 9, 1969.  

§43-3.  Who may marry.

A.  Any unmarried person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and not otherwise disqualified is capable of contracting and consenting to marriage with a person of the opposite sex.

B.  1.  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, no person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall enter into the marriage relation, nor shall any license issue therefor, except:

a. upon the consent and authority expressly given by the parent or guardian of such underage applicant in the presence of the authority issuing such license,  

b. upon the written consent of the parent or guardian of such underage applicant executed and acknowledged in person before a judge of the district court or the court clerk of any county within the State of Oklahoma,

c. if the parent or guardian resides outside of the State of Oklahoma, upon the written consent of the parent or guardian executed before a judge or clerk of a court of record.  The executed foreign consent shall be duly authenticated in the same manner as proof of documents from foreign jurisdictions,

d. if the certificate of a duly licensed medical doctor or osteopath, acknowledged in the manner provided by law for the acknowledgment of deeds, and stating that such parent or guardian is unable by reason of health or incapacity to be present in person, is presented to such licensing authority, upon the written consent of the parent or guardian, acknowledged in the same manner as the accompanying medical certificate,

e. if the parent or guardian is on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, upon the written permission of the parent or guardian, acknowledged in the manner provided by law for acknowledgment of deeds by military personnel authorized to administer oaths.  Such permission shall be presented to the licensing authority, accompanied by a certificate executed by a commissioned officer in command of the applicant, to the effect that the parent or guardian is on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, or

f. upon affidavit of three (3) reputable persons stating that both parents of the minor are deceased, or mentally incompetent, or their whereabouts are unknown to the minor, and that no guardian has theretofore been appointed for the minor.  The judge of the district court issuing the license may in his or her discretion consent to the marriage in the same manner as in all cases in which consent may be given by a parent or guardian.

2.  Every person under the age of sixteen (16) years is expressly forbidden and prohibited from entering into the marriage relation except when authorized by the court:

a. in settlement of a suit for seduction or paternity, or

b. if the unmarried female is pregnant, or has given birth to an illegitimate child and at least one parent of each minor, or the guardian or custodian of such child, is present before the court and has an opportunity to present evidence in the event such parent, guardian, or custodian objects to the issuance of a marriage license.  If they are not present the parent, guardian, or custodian may be given notice of the hearing at the discretion of the court.

3.  A parent or a guardian of any child under the age of eighteen (18) years who is in the custody of the Department of Human Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice shall not be eligible to consent to the marriage of such minor child as required by the provisions of this subsection.

4.  Any certificate or written permission required by this subsection shall be retained by the official issuing the marriage license.

C.  No marriage may be authorized when such marriage would be incestuous under this chapter.

R.L. 1910, § 3885.  Amended by Laws 1947, p. 301, § 1; Laws 1959, p. 183, § 1; Laws 1959, p. 184, § 1; Laws 1963, c. 91, § 1; Laws 1965, c. 383, § 1; Laws 1970, c. 131, § 1, emerg. eff. April 7, 1970; Laws 1975, c. 39, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1975; Laws 1989, c. 64, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989; Laws 2004, c. 422, § 4, eff. July 1, 2004.

§43-3.1.  Recognition of marriage between persons of same gender prohibited.

A marriage between persons of the same gender performed in another state shall not be recognized as valid and binding in this state as of the date of the marriage.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 131, § 9, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

§434.  License required.

No person shall enter into or contract the marriage relation, nor shall any person perform or solemnize the ceremony of any marriage in this state without a license being first issued by the judge or clerk of the district court, of some county in this state, authorizing the marriage between the persons named in such license.

R.L.1910, § 3886.  

§43-5.  Application - Contents.

A.  Persons desiring to be married in this state shall submit an application in writing signed and sworn to in person before the clerk of the district court by both of the parties setting forth:

1.  Each party's place of residence;

2.  Each party's full name and age as the same appear upon a certified copy of birth certificate, a current motor vehicle operator's, chauffeur's or commercial license, a current voter's registration certificate, a current passport or visa, or any other certificate, license or document issued by or existing pursuant to the laws of any nation or of any state or other governmental subdivision thereof accepted as proof of identity and age;

3.  That the parties are not disqualified from or incapable of entering into the marriage relation; and

4.  Whether the parties have successfully completed a premarital counseling program.

B.  1.  Upon application pursuant to this section and the payment of fees as provided in Section 31 of Title 28 of the Oklahoma Statutes, if the clerk of the district court is satisfied of the truth and sufficiency of the application and that there is no legal impediment to such marriage, the judge shall issue the license authorizing the marriage.

2.  Parties to be married and who present a certificate to the clerk of the district court that states the parties have completed the premarital counseling program pursuant to Section 5.1 of this title shall be entitled to pay a reduced fee for a marriage license in an amount provided in Section 31 of Title 28 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

C.  In the event that one or both of the parties are under legal age, the application shall have been on file in the court clerk's office for a period of not less than seventy-two (72) hours prior to issuance of the marriage license.

D.  The marriage license shall be valid in any county within the state.

E.  The provisions hereof are mandatory and not directory except under the circumstances set out in the provisions of Section 3 of this title.

R.L.1910, § 3887.  Amended by Laws 1959, p. 183, § 2, emerg. eff. June 2, 1959; Laws 1965, c. 25, § 1, emerg. eff. Feb. 26, 1965; Laws 1974, c. 96, § 1; Laws 1989, c. 64, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989; Laws 1999, c. 174, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2005, c. 33, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2005.

§43-5.1.  Premarital counseling.

A.  The clerk of the district court shall reduce the fee for a marriage license as prescribed by Section 31 of Title 28 of the Oklahoma Statutes to persons who have successfully completed a premarital counseling program meeting the conditions specified by this section.

B.  1.  A premarital counseling program shall be conducted by a health professional or an official representative of a religious institution.  Upon successful completion of the program, the counseling program provider shall issue to the persons a certificate signed by the instructor of the counseling program.  The certificate shall state that the named persons have successfully completed the premarital counseling requirements.

2.  For purposes of this subsection, the term "health professional" means a person licensed or certified by this state to practice psychiatry or psychology; a licensed social worker with experience in marriage counseling; a licensed marital and family therapist; or a licensed professional counselor.

Added by Laws 1999, c. 174, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1999.

§43-6.  License - Contents.

The license herein provided for shall contain the date of its issuance, name of the court, the name of the city or town and county in which it is located, the full names of the persons to be married thereunder, their ages, places of residence, and social security numbers, if any, and shall be directed to any person authorized by law to perform and solemnize the marriage ceremony, and shall fix the time of the return thereof, which shall not be more than thirty (30) days from the date of its issuance, and shall contain a blank certificate to be made out by the person solemnizing or performing the marriage ceremony thereunder.

R.L. 1910, § 3888.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 402, § 9, eff. July 1, 1997.

§43-7.  Solemnization of marriages.

A.  All marriages must be contracted by a formal ceremony performed or solemnized in the presence of at least two adult, competent persons as witnesses, by a judge or retired judge of any court in this state, or an ordained or authorized preacher or minister of the Gospel, priest or other ecclesiastical dignitary of any denomination who has been duly ordained or authorized by the church to which he or she belongs to preach the Gospel, or a rabbi and who is at least eighteen (18) years of age.

B.  1.  The judge shall place his or her order of appointment on file with the office of the court clerk of the county in which he or she resides.

2.  The preacher, minister, priest, rabbi, or ecclesiastical dignitary who is a resident of this state shall have filed, in the office of the court clerk of the county in which he or she resides, a copy of the credentials or authority from his or her church or synagogue authorizing him or her to solemnize marriages.

3.  The preacher, minister, priest, rabbi, or ecclesiastical dignitary who is not a resident of this state, but has complied with the laws of the state of which he or she is a resident, shall have filed once, in the office of the court clerk of the county in which he or she intends to perform or solemnize a marriage, a copy of the credentials or authority from his or her church or synagogue authorizing him or her to solemnize marriages.

4.  The filing by resident or nonresident preachers, ministers, priests, rabbis, ecclesiastical dignitaries or judges shall be effective in and for all counties of this state; provided, no fee shall be charged for such recording.

C.  No person herein authorized to perform or solemnize a marriage ceremony shall do so unless the license issued therefor be first delivered into his or her possession nor unless he or she has good reason to believe the persons presenting themselves before him or her for marriage are the identical persons named in the license, and for whose marriage the same was issued, and that there is no legal objection or impediment to such marriage.

D.  Marriages between persons belonging to the society called Friends, or Quakers, the spiritual assembly of the Baha'is, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which have no ordained minister, may be solemnized by the persons and in the manner prescribed by and practiced in any such society, church, or assembly.

R.L. 1910, § 3889.  Amended by Laws 1951, p. 113, § 1; Laws 1961, p. 285, § 1; Laws 1971, c. 298, § 1, emerg. eff. June 24, 1971; Laws 1986, c. 24, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1986; Laws 1989, c. 333, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1989; Laws 1998, c. 214, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1998; Laws 1999, c. 305, § 1, emerg. eff. June 4, 1999.

§43-8.  Endorsement and return of license.

The person performing or solemnizing the marriage ceremony shall immediately upon the completion thereof endorse upon the license authorizing the marriage his name; official or clerical designation; the court of which he is judge or the congregation or body of which he is pastor, preacher, minister, priest, rabbi or dignitary, provided, that the authority to perform or solemnize marriages shall be coextensive with the congregation or body of which he is pastor, preacher, minister, priest, rabbi or dignitary; the town or city and county where the same is located; and signed by him with his official or clerical designation.  The witnesses to the ceremony shall endorse the license authorizing the marriage with their names and post office addresses.  The license with such certificate thereon shall be transmitted without delay to the judge or the court clerk who issued the same.  Provided that all marriages solemnized among the society called Friends, or Quakers, the spiritual assembly of the Baha'Is, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the form heretofore practiced and in use in their meetings shall be good and valid.  One person chosen by such society, church or assembly shall be responsible for completing the certification of marriage pursuant to this title in the same manner as a minister or other person authorized to perform marriages.  Such person shall be chosen by the society, church or assembly for this purpose.

R.L. 1910, § 3890; Laws 1971, c. 298, § 2, emerg. eff. June 24, 1971.

§43-9.  Records - Return of original.

The judge or clerk of the district court issuing any marriage license shall make a complete record of the application, license, and certificate thereon, on an optical disc, microfilm, microfiche, imaging, or in a book kept by the judge or clerk for that purpose, properly indexed; and the record of the license shall be made before it is delivered to the person procuring the same, and the record of the certificate shall be made upon the return of the license; provided, that all records pertaining to the issuance of such license shall be open to public inspection during office hours; provided further, that after recording of the original license and completed certificate as hereinbefore required, it shall be returned to the persons to whom the same was issued, with the issuing officer's certificate on the back thereof showing the book and page where the same has been recorded.

R.L.1910, § 3891.  Amended by Laws 1945, p. 139, § 1; Laws 1947, p. 301, § 1; Laws 1998, c. 310, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 1998; Laws 2005, c. 192, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2005.

§4310.  Evidence before issue of license.

If the judge or clerk of the district court before whom application for a marriage license is made shall be in doubt of the legal capacity of the parties for whose marriage a license is sought, to enter into the marriage relation, such judge or clerk shall require additional evidence to that contained in the application, and may swear and examine witnesses or require affidavits in proof of the legality of such marriage, and unless satisfied of the legality thereof, he shall not issue a license therefor.

R.L.1910, § 3892.  

§4311.  Copy of record  Admission as evidence.

Copies of any record required to be made and kept by the judge of the district court under the provisions of this chapter, certified to by the judge of said court, under his official signature and seal, shall be received as evidence in all courts of this state.

R.L.1910, § 3893.  

§43-14.  Penalty for performing unlawful marriage.

Any minister of the Gospel, or other person authorized to solemnize the rites of matrimony within this state, who shall knowingly solemnize the rites of matrimony between persons prohibited by this chapter, from intermarrying shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years.

R.L. 1910, § 3896.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 461, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 335, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE:  Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 461 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§4315.  Miscellaneous offenses  Penalties.

Any judge of the district court, or clerk of the district court, knowingly issuing any marriage license, or concealing any record thereof, contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or any person knowingly performing or solemnizing the marriage ceremony contrary to any of the provisions of this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one (1) year or by both such fine and imprisonment.

R.L.1910, § 3897.  

§4316.  Soliciting in or near court house or grounds prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit directly or indirectly within any courthouse, premises or grounds or lots on which a courthouse may be located in any county within the State of Oklahoma for himself or for and on behalf of any minister of the Gospel or other person, the performance of a marriage ceremony.

Laws 1941, p. 169, § 1.  

§4317.  Punishment for violations.

Any person violating this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed Twentyfive Dollars ($25.00) for the first conviction, and for any second or subsequent conviction by a fine of not less than Twentyfive Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).

Laws 1941, p. 170, § 2.  

§4318.  Injunction against violations.

In addition to the penalty provided in Section 2 hereof for a violation of this act, a cause of action shall exist in favor of any citizen of any county, or in favor of the State of Oklahoma on the relation of the district attorney of any county where the offense is committed to apply to the district court of the county for an injunction restraining the violation of this act.

Laws 1941, p. 170, § 3.  

§4319.  Unlawful sales of papers or instruments relating to marriage licenses  Penalty.

It shall be unlawful for the court clerk of any county of this state to sell, offer for sale, or permit the sale of any paper or instrument relating, directly or indirectly, to marriage licenses issued from the office of said court clerk except the license herein. Provided, any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Dollars ($10.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than five (5) days nor more than ten (10) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Laws 1959, p. 127, § 2; eff. April 8, 1959.  

§43-20.  Computation of time.

The time within which an act is to be done, as provided for in Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day.  If the last day is a legal holiday as defined by Section 82.1 of Title 25 of the Oklahoma Statutes, it shall be excluded.  The provisions of this section are hereby declared to be a clarification of the law as it existed prior to the effective date of this act and shall not be considered or construed to be a change of the law as it existed prior to the effective date of this act.  Any action or proceeding arising under Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes prior to the effective date of this act for which a determination of the period of time prescribed by this section is in question or has been in question due to the enactment of Section 20, Chapter 293, O.S.L. 1999, shall be governed by the method for computation of time as prescribed by this section.

Added by Laws 2000, c. 260, § 4, emerg. eff. June 1, 2000.

§43-31.  Repealed by Laws 2004, c. 333, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.

NOTE:  This section was amended by Laws 2004, c. 105, § 1, without reference to repeal, to read as follows:

Section 31.  A.  If the State Board of Health requires a blood test for the discovery of communicable or infectious diseases prior to obtaining a marriage license, a person seeking to obtain a marriage license shall first file with the court clerk a certificate or affidavit from a duly-licensed physician, licensed to practice within the State of Oklahoma, stating that each party to the marriage contract has been given a blood test, as may be necessary for the discovery of communicable or infectious diseases, made not more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of such application to obtain a marriage license, and that, in the opinion of the physician, the persons named therein are not infected with a communicable or infectious disease, or, if infected, said disease is not in a stage which may be communicable to the marriage partner.

B.  The State Board of Health shall promulgate rules in compliance with Article I of the Administrative Procedures Act to designate communicable or infectious diseases, if any, for which a blood test shall be conducted pursuant to subsection A of this section.

§43-32.  Repealed by Laws 2004, c. 333, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.

§43-33.  Repealed by Laws 2004, c. 333, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.

§43-34.  Repealed by Laws 2004, c. 333, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.

§43-35.  Repealed by Laws 2004, c. 333, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.

§43-36.  Issuance of license - Delivery to person officiating - Return to licensing authority.

Marriage licenses shall be issued to all applicants who are entitled under the laws of the State of Oklahoma to apply for a marriage license and to contract matrimony.  Any person obtaining a marriage license from the court clerk shall deliver the license, within ten (10) days from the date of issue, to the clergy or other qualified person who is to officiate before the marriage can be performed.  The license issued shall be returned by the clergy or other qualified person who officiated the marriage to the licensing authority who issued the same within five (5) days succeeding the date of the performance of the marriage therein authorized.  Any person or persons who shall willfully neglect to make such return within the time above required shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each and every offense.

Added by Laws 1945, p. 138, § 6.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 333, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.

§43-37.  Repealed by Laws 2004, c. 333, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.

§43101.  Grounds for divorce.

The district court may grant a divorce for any of the following causes:

First.  Abandonment for one (1) year.

Second.  Adultery.

Third.  Impotency.

Fourth.  When the wife at the time of her marriage, was pregnant by another than her husband.

Fifth.  Extreme cruelty.

Sixth.  Fraudulent contract.

Seventh.  Incompatibility.

Eighth.  Habitual drunkenness.

Ninth.  Gross neglect of duty.

Tenth.  Imprisonment of the other party in a state or federal penal institution under sentence thereto for the commission of a felony at the time the petition is filed.

Eleventh.  The procurement of a final divorce decree without this state by a husband or wife which does not in this state release the other party from the obligations of the marriage.

Twelfth.  Insanity for a period of five (5) years, the insane person having been an inmate of a state institution for the insane in the State of Oklahoma, or inmate of a state institution for the insane in some other state for such period, or of a private sanitarium, and affected with a type of insanity with a poor prognosis for recovery; provided, that no divorce shall be granted because of insanity until after a thorough examination of such insane person by three physicians, one of which physicians shall be a superintendent of the hospital or sanitarium for the insane, in which the insane defendant is confined, and the other two physicians to be appointed by the court before whom the action is pending, any two of such physicians shall agree that such insane person, at the time the petition in the divorce action is filed, has a poor prognosis for recovery; provided, further, however, that no divorce shall be granted on this ground to any person whose husband or wife is an inmate of a state institution in any other than the State of Oklahoma, unless the person applying for such divorce shall have been a resident of the State of Oklahoma for at least five (5) years prior to the commencement of an action; and provided further, that a decree granted on this ground shall not relieve the successful party from contributing to the support and maintenance of the defendant. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the insane defendant, which appointment shall be made at least ten (10) days before any decree is entered.

R.L.1910, § 4962; Laws 1947, p. 79, § 1; Laws 1953, p. 59, § 1, Laws 1955, p. 141, § 1. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1271 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43102.  Residence of plaintiff or defendant.

A.  Except as otherwise provided by subsection B of this section, the petitioner or the respondent in an action for divorce or annulment of a marriage must have been an actual resident, in good faith, of the state, for six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

B.  Any person who has been a resident of any United States army post or military reservation within the State of Oklahoma, for six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the petition, may bring action for divorce or annulment of a marriage or may be sued for divorce or annulment of a marriage.

R.L. 1910, § 4963.  Amended by Laws 1939, p. 2, § 1, emerg. eff. April 10, 1939; Laws 1957, p. 82, § 2; Laws 1961, p. 64, § 1, emerg. eff. Aug. 7, 1961; Laws 1965, c. 284, § 1, emerg. eff. June 24, 1965.  Renumbered from § 1272 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 2002, c. 400, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.

§43103.  Venue for any action for divorce, annulment of a marriage or legal separation.

A.  The venue of any action for divorce, annulment of a marriage or legal separation may be in the following counties:

1.  An action for divorce or annulment of a marriage may be filed in the county in which the petitioner has been a resident for the thirty (30) days immediately preceding the filing of the petition or in the county in which the respondent is a resident; provided, the action may be assigned for trial in any county within the judicial district by the chief judge of the district; and

2.  An action for legal separation may be brought in the county in which either party is a resident at the time of the filing of the petition.

B.  The court may, upon application of a party, transfer an action for divorce, annulment of marriage or legal separation at any time after filing of the petition to any county where venue would be proper under subsection A of this section if the requirements of subsection C or D of this section are met.

C.  The court shall grant a party's application for change of venue when the other party is not a resident of this state at the time the application for change of venue is filed, or the plaintiff has departed from this state and has been absent for more than six (6) months preceding the date the application for change of venue is filed, and transfer is requested to the county where the applying party resides in this state.

D.  The court shall grant a party's application for change of venue when the court determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and the court in another county is a more appropriate forum consistent with the factors in subsection B of Section 551-207 of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act after substitution of the word "county" for the word "state" in such section of the act, and transfer is requested to the county where the applying party resides in the state.

Added by Laws 1971, c. 23, § 1, emerg. eff. March 22, 1971. Renumbered from § 1272.1 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1998, c. 310, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 1998; Laws 2001, c. 308, § 1, emerg. eff. June 1, 2001; Laws 2002, c. 400, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.

§43104.  Personal jurisdiction in certain divorce actions.

A court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a person, whether or not a resident of this state, who lived within this state in a marital or parental relationship, or both, as to all obligations for alimony and child support where the other party to the marital relationship continues to reside in this state.  When the person who is subject to the jurisdiction of the court has departed from the state, he may be served outside of the state by any method that is authorized by the statutes of this state.

Laws 1973, c. 21. § 2, emerg. eff. April 12, 1973. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1272.2 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. ec=1>

§43-104.1.  District court referees.

A.  If funding is available, presiding judges of the district court may appoint court referees in their judicial districts to hear designated cases as assigned by the presiding judge.

B.  Reasonable compensation for the referees shall be fixed by that presiding judge.

C.  A referee shall meet the requirements and perform their duties in the same manner and procedure as set forth in Sections 7003-8.6 and 7303-7.5 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes pertaining to referees appointed in juvenile proceedings.

Added by Laws 2002, c. 400, § 9, eff. Nov 1, 2002.

§43105.  Petition and summons.

A.  A proceeding for dissolution of marriage, an annulment of a marriage, or a legal separation shall be titled "In re the Marriage of _______ and ______".

B.  The initial pleading in all proceedings under this title shall be denominated a petition.  The person filing the petition shall be called the petitioner.  A responsive pleading shall be denominated a response.  The person filing the responsive pleading shall be called the respondent.  Other pleadings shall be denominated as provided in the Rules of Civil Procedure, except as otherwise provided in this section.

C.  The petition must be verified as true, by the affidavit of the petitioner.

D.  A summons may issue thereon, and shall be served, or publication made, as in other civil cases.

E.  Wherever it occurs in this title or in any other title of the Oklahoma Statutes or in any forms or court documents prepared pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Statutes, the term "divorce" shall mean and be deemed to refer to a "dissolution of marriage" unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires.

R.L. 1910, § 4964.  Amended by Laws 1973, c. 262, § 6, operative July 1, 1973.  Renumbered from § 1273 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 2002, c. 400, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 302, § 1, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43106.  Response.

A.  The respondent, in his or her response, may allege a cause for a dissolution of marriage, annulment of the marriage or legal separation against the petitioner, and may have the same relief thereupon as he or she would be entitled to for a like cause if he or she were the petitioner.

B.  When new matter is set up in the answer, it shall be verified as to such new matter by the affidavit of the respondent.

R.L. 1910, § 4965.  Renumbered from § 1274 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 2002, c. 400, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 302, § 2, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43-107.  Repealed by Laws 2002, c. 400, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.

§43-107.1.  Actions where minor child involved - Delayed final order - Waiver - Completion of educational program - Exceptions.

A.  1.  In an action for divorce where there are minor children involved, the court shall not issue a final order thereon for at least ninety (90) days from the date of filing the petition which ninety (90) days may be waived by the court for good cause shown and without objection by either party.

2.  The court may require that within the ninety-day period specified by paragraph 1 of this subsection, the parties attend and complete an educational program specified by Section 107.2 of this title.

B.  This section shall not apply to divorces filed for any of the following causes:

1.  Abandonment for one (1) year;

2.  Extreme cruelty;

3.  Habitual drunkenness;

4.  Imprisonment of the other party in a state or federal penal institution under sentence thereto for the commission of a felony at the time the petition is filed;

5.  The procurement of a final divorce decree outside this state by a husband or wife which does not in this state release the other party from the obligations of the marriage;

6.  Insanity for a period of five (5) years, the insane person having been an inmate of a state institution for the insane in the State of Oklahoma, or an inmate of a state institution for the insane in some other state for such period, or an inmate of a private sanitarium, and affected with a type of insanity with a poor prognosis for recovery;

7.  Conviction of any crime defined by the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act committed upon a child of either party to the divorce by either party to the divorce; or

8.  A child of either party has been adjudicated deprived, pursuant to the Oklahoma Children's Code, as a result of the actions of either party to the divorce and the party has not successfully completed the service and treatment plan required by the court.

C.  After a petition has been filed in an action for divorce where there are minor children involved, the court may make any such order concerning property, children, support and expenses of the suit as provided for in Section 110 of this title, to be enforced during the pendency of the action, as may be right and proper.

D.  The court may issue a final order in an action for divorce where minor children are involved before the ninety-day time period set forth in subsection A of this section has expired, if the parties voluntarily participate in marital or family counseling and the court finds reconciliation is unlikely.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 243, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1992.  Amended by Laws 1994, c. 124, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1996, c. 131, § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 1997; Laws 2002, c. 445, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.

§43-107.2.  Actions where minor child involved - Court-ordered educational program.

A.  In all actions for divorce, separate maintenance, guardianship, paternity, custody or visitation, including modifications or enforcements of a prior court order, where the interest of a child under eighteen (18) years of age is involved, the court may require all adult parties to attend an educational program concerning, as appropriate, the impact of separate parenting and coparenting on children, the implications for visitation and conflict management, development of children, separate financial responsibility for children and such other instruction as deemed necessary by the court.  The program shall be educational in nature and not designed for individual therapy.

B.  Each judicial district may adopt its own local rules governing the program.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 131, § 8, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

§43-107.3.  Appointment of guardian ad litem - Referral to mediation or counseling - Definitions - False accusations of child abuse or neglect.

A.  1.  In any proceeding when the custody or visitation of a minor child or children is contested by any party, the court may appoint an attorney at law as guardian ad litem on the court's motion or upon application of any party to appear for and represent the minor children.

2.  The guardian ad litem may be appointed to objectively advocate on behalf of the child and act as an officer of the court to investigate all matters concerning the best interests of the child.  In addition to other duties required by the court and as specified by the court, a guardian ad litem shall have the following responsibilities:

a. review documents, reports, records and other information relevant to the case, meet with and observe the child in appropriate settings, and interview parents, caregivers and health care providers and any other person with knowledge relevant to the case including, but not limited to, teachers, counselors and child care providers,

b. advocate for the child's best interests by participating in the case, attending any hearings in the matter and advocating for appropriate services for the child when necessary,

c. monitor the child's best interests throughout any judicial proceeding,

d. present written reports to the parties and court prior to trial or at any other time as specified by the court on the child's best interests that include conclusions and recommendations and the facts upon which they are based, and

e. the guardian ad litem shall, as much as possible, maintain confidentiality of information related to the case and is not subject to discovery pursuant to the Oklahoma Discovery Code.

3.  Expenses, costs, and attorney's fees for the guardian ad litem may be allocated among the parties as determined by the court.

B.  When property, separate maintenance, or custody is at issue, the court:

1.  May refer the issue or issues to mediation if feasible unless a party asserts or it appears to the court that domestic violence or child abuse has occurred, in which event the court shall halt or suspend professional mediation unless the court specifically finds that:

a. the following three conditions are satisfied:

(1) the professional mediator has substantial training concerning the effects of domestic violence or child abuse on victims,

(2) a party who is or alleges to be the victim of domestic violence is capable of negotiating with the other party in mediation, either alone or with assistance, without suffering an imbalance of power as a result of the alleged domestic violence, and

(3) the mediation process contains appropriate provisions and conditions to protect against an imbalance of power between parties resulting from the alleged domestic violence or child abuse, or

b. in the case of domestic violence involving parents, the parent who is or alleges to be the victim requests mediation and the mediator is informed of the alleged domestic violence; and

2.  When custody is at issue, the court may order, in addition to or in lieu of the provisions of paragraph 1 of this subsection, that each of the parties undergo individual counseling in a manner that the court deems appropriate, if the court finds that the parties can afford the counseling.

C.  As used in this section:

1.  "Child abuse or neglect" shall have the same meaning as such term is defined by the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act or shall mean the child has been adjudicated deprived as a result of the actions or omission of either parent pursuant to the Oklahoma Children's Code; and

2.  "Domestic violence" shall have the same meaning as such term is defined by the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.

D.  During any proceeding concerning child custody, should it be determined by the court that a party has intentionally made a false or frivolous accusation to the court of child abuse or neglect against the other party, the court shall proceed with any or all of the following:

1.  Find the accusing party in contempt for perjury and refer for prosecution;

2.  Consider the false allegations in determining custody; and

3.  Award the obligation to pay all court costs and legal expenses encumbered by both parties arising from the allegations to the accusing party.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 403, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 1997.  Amended by Laws 2002, c. 400, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 3, § 20, emerg. eff. March 19, 2003.

NOTE:  Laws 2002, c. 445, § 17 repealed by Laws 2003, c. 3, § 21, emerg. eff. March 19, 2003.

§43108.  Parties in equal wrong  Custody of children  Disposition of property.

That the parties appear to be in equal wrong shall not be a basis for refusing to grant a divorce, but if a divorce is granted in such circumstances, it shall be granted to both parties.  In any such case or where the court grants alimony without a divorce or in any case where a divorce is refused, the court may for good cause shown make such order as may be proper for the custody, maintenance and education of the children, and for the control and equitable division and disposition of the property of the parties, or of either of them, as may be proper, equitable and just, having due regard to the time and manner of acquiring such property, whether the title thereto be in either or both of said parties.

R.L.1910, § 4966; Laws 1955, p. 142, § 1. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1275 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43109.  Awarding custody or appointing guardian  Best interest of child  Joint custody.

A.  In awarding the custody of a minor unmarried child or in appointing a general guardian for said child, the court shall consider what appears to be in the best interests of the physical and mental and moral welfare of the child.

B.  The court, pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of this section, may grant the care, custody, and control of a child to either parent or to the parents jointly.

For the purposes of this section, the terms joint custody and joint care, custody, and control mean the sharing by parents in all or some of the aspects of physical and legal care, custody, and control of their children.

C.  If either or both parents have requested joint custody, said parents shall file with the court their plans for the exercise of joint care, custody, and control of their child.  The parents of the child may submit a plan jointly, or either parent or both parents may submit separate plans.  Any plan shall include but is not limited to provisions detailing the physical living arrangements for the child, child support obligations, medical and dental care for the child, school placement, and visitation rights.  A plan shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by each parent stating that said parent agrees to the plan and will abide by its terms. The plan and affidavit shall be filed with the petition for a divorce or legal separation or after said petition is filed.

D.  The court shall issue a final plan for the exercise of joint care, custody, and control of the child or children, based upon the plan submitted by the parents, separate or jointly, with appropriate changes deemed by the court to be in the best interests of the child.  The court also may reject a request for joint custody and proceed as if the request for joint custody had not been made.

E.  The parents having joint custody of the child may modify the terms of the plan for joint care, custody, and control.  The modification to the plan shall be filed with the court and included with the plan.  If the court determines the modifications are in the best interests of the child, the court shall approve the modifications.

F.  The court also may modify the terms of the plan for joint care, custody, and control upon the request of one parent.  The court shall not modify the plan unless the modifications are in the best interests of the child.

G.  1.  The court may terminate a joint custody decree upon the request of one or both of the parents or whenever the court determines said decree is not in the best interests of the child.

2.  Upon termination of a joint custody decree, the court shall proceed and issue a modified decree for the care, custody, and control of the child as if no such joint custody decree had been made.

H.  In the event of a dispute between the parents having joint custody of a child as to the interpretation of a provision of said plan, the court may appoint an arbitrator to resolve said dispute. The arbitrator shall be a disinterested person knowledgeable in domestic relations law and family counseling.  The determination of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties to the proceedings until further order of the court.

If a parent refuses to consent to arbitration, the court may terminate the joint custody decree.

Added by Laws 1983, c. 269, § 3, operative July 1, 1983. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1275.4 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43-109.1.  Custody during parents' separation.

If the parents of a minor unmarried child are separated without being divorced, the judge of the district court, upon application of either parent, may issue any civil process necessary to inquire into the custody of said minor unmarried child.  The court may award the custody of said child to either party or both, in accordance with the best interests of the child, for such time and pursuant to such regulations as the case may require.  The decision of the judge shall be guided by the rules prescribed in Section 2 of this act.

R.L. 1910, § 4384.  Amended by Laws 1975, c. 352, § 1, emerg. eff. June 12, 1975; Laws 1983, c. 269, § 1, operative July 1, 1983.  Renumbered from Title 10, § 21 by Laws 1990, c. 188, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1990.

§43109.2.  Paternity determination.

Except as otherwise provided by Section 3 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes, in any action concerning the custody of a minor unmarried child or the determination of child support, the court may determine if the parties to the action are the parents of the children.  If the parties to the action are the parents of the children, the court may determine which party should have custody of said children, may award child support to the parent to whom it awards custody, and may make an appropriate order for payment of costs and attorney's fees.

Added by Laws 1976, c. 137, § 1, operative Oct. 1, 1976.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1277.2 by Laws 1994, c. 356, § 35, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 403, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1997.

§43110.  Automatic temporary injunction - Temporary orders.

A.  1.  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, upon the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage, annulment of a marriage or legal separation by the petitioner and upon personal service of the petition and summons on the respondent, or upon waiver and acceptance of service by the respondent, an automatic temporary injunction shall be in effect against both parties pursuant to the provisions of this section:

a. restraining the parties from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or in any way disposing of, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, any marital property, except in the usual course of business, for the purpose of retaining an attorney for the case or for the necessities of life and requiring each party to notify the other party of any proposed extraordinary expenditures and to account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after the injunction is in effect,

b. restraining the parties from:

(1) intentionally or knowingly damaging or destroying the tangible property of the parties, or of either of them, including, but not limited to, any document that represents or embodies anything of value,

(2) making any withdrawal for any purpose from any retirement, profit-sharing, pension, death, or other employee benefit plan or employee savings plan or from any individual retirement account or Keogh account,

(3) withdrawing or borrowing in any manner all or any part of the cash surrender value of any life insurance policies on either party or their children,

(4) changing or in any manner altering the beneficiary designation on any life insurance policies on the life of either party or any of their children,

(5) canceling, altering, or in any manner affecting any casualty, automobile, or health insurance policies insuring the parties' property or persons,

(6) opening or diverting mail addressed to the other party, and

(7) signing or endorsing the other party's name on any negotiable instrument, check, or draft, such as tax refunds, insurance payments, and dividends, or attempting to negotiate any negotiable instruments payable to either party without the personal signature of the other party,

c. requiring the parties to maintain all presently existing health, property, life and other insurance which the individual is presently carrying on any member of this family unit, and to cooperate as necessary in the filing and processing of claims.  Any employer-provided health insurance currently in existence shall remain in full force and effect for all family members,

d. enjoining both parties from molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party or of the children to the marriage,

e. restraining both parties from disrupting or withdrawing their children from an educational facility and programs where the children historically have been enrolled, or day care,

f. restraining both parties from hiding or secreting their children from the other party, and

g. restraining both parties from removing the minor children of the parties, if any, beyond the jurisdiction of the State of Oklahoma, acting directly or in concert with others, except for vacations of two (2) weeks or less duration, without the prior written consent of the other party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

2.   a. The provisions of the automatic temporary injunction shall be printed as an attachment to the summons and the petition and entitled "Automatic Temporary Injunction Notice".

b. The automatic temporary injunction notice shall contain a provision which will allow the parties to waive the automatic temporary injunction.  In addition, the provision must state that unless both parties have agreed and have signed their names in the space provided, that the automatic temporary injunction will be effective.  Along with the waiver provision, the notice shall contain a check box and space available for the signatures of the parties.

3.  The automatic temporary injunction shall become an order of the court upon fulfillment of the requirements of paragraph 1 of this subsection unless and until:

a. the automatic temporary injunction is waived by the parties.  Both parties must indicate on the automatic temporary injunction notice in the space provided that the parties have both agreed to waive the automatic temporary injunction.  Each party must sign his or her own name on the notice in the space provided, or

b. a party, no later than three (3) days after service on the party, files an objection to the injunction and requests a hearing.  Provided, the automatic temporary injunction shall remain in effect until the hearing and a judge orders the injunction removed.

4.  The automatic temporary injunction shall be dissolved upon the granting of the dissolution of marriage, final order of legal separation or other final order.

5.  Nothing in this subsection shall preclude either party from applying to the court for further temporary orders, pursuant to this section, an expanded automatic temporary injunction, or modification or revocation thereto.

6.   a. With regard to an automatic temporary injunction, when a petition for dissolution of marriage, annulment of a marriage, or a legal separation is filed and served, a peace officer shall use every reasonable means to enforce the injunction which enjoins both parties from molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party or the children of the marriage against a petitioner or respondent, whenever:

(1) there is exhibited by a respondent or by the petitioner to the peace officer a copy of the petition or summons, with an attached Temporary Injunction Notice, duly filed and issued pursuant to this section, together with a certified copy of the affidavit of service of process or a certified copy of the waiver and acceptance of service, and

(2) the peace officer has cause to believe that a violation of the automatic temporary injunction has occurred.

b. A peace officer shall not be held civilly or criminally liable for his or her action pursuant to this paragraph if his or her action is in good faith and without malice.

B.  After a petition has been filed in an action for dissolution of marriage or legal separation either party may request the court to issue:

1.  A temporary order:

a. regarding child custody, support or visitation,

b. regarding spousal maintenance,

c. regarding payment of debt,

d. regarding possession of property,

e. regarding attorney fees, and

f. providing other injunctive relief proper in the circumstances.

All applications for temporary orders shall set forth the factual basis for the application and shall be verified by the party seeking relief.  The application and a notice of hearing shall be served on the other party in any manner provided for in the Rules of Civil Procedure.

The court shall not issue a temporary order until at least five (5) days' notice of hearing is given to the other party.

After notice and hearing, a court may issue a temporary order granting the relief as provided by this paragraph; and/or

2.  A temporary restraining order.  If the court finds on the basis of a verified application and testimony of witnesses that irreparable harm will result to the moving party, or a child of a party if no order is issued before the adverse party or attorney for the adverse party can be heard in opposition, the court may issue a temporary restraining order which shall become immediately effective and enforceable without requiring notice and opportunity to be heard to the other party.  If a temporary restraining order is issued pursuant to this paragraph, the motion for a temporary order shall be set within ten (10) days.

C.  Any temporary orders and the automatic temporary injunction, or specific terms thereof, may be vacated or modified prior to or in conjunction with a final decree on a showing by either party of facts necessary for vacation or modification.  Temporary orders and the automatic temporary injunction terminate when the final judgment on all issues, except attorney fees and costs, is rendered or when the action is dismissed.  The court may reserve jurisdiction to rule on an application for a contempt citation for a violation of a temporary order or the automatic temporary injunction which is filed any time prior to the time the temporary order or injunction terminates.

D.  Upon granting a decree of dissolution of marriage, annulment of a marriage, or legal separation, the court may require either party to pay such reasonable expenses of the other as may be just and proper under the circumstances.

E.  The court may in its discretion make additional orders relative to the expenses of any such subsequent actions, including but not limited to writs of habeas corpus, brought by the parties or their attorneys, for the enforcement or modification of any interlocutory or final orders in the dissolution of marriage action made for the benefit of either party or their respective attorneys.

R.L. 1910, § 4967.  Amended by Laws 1965, c. 7, § 1, emerg. eff. Feb. 9, 1965; Laws 1976, c. 256, § 1.  Renumbered from § 1276 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1991, c. 113, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Laws 1992, c. 252, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Laws 1997, c. 403, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; Laws 2002, c. 400, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 302, § 3, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43-110.1.  Shared parenting - Policy.

It is the policy of this state to assure that minor children have frequent and continuing contact with parents who have shown the ability to act in the best interests of their children and to encourage parents to share in the rights and responsibilities of rearing their children after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage.  To effectuate this policy, if requested by a parent, the court shall provide substantially equal access to the minor children to both parents at a temporary order hearing, unless the court finds that such shared parenting would be detrimental to such child.  The burden of proof that such shared parenting would be detrimental to such child shall be upon the parent requesting sole custody and the reason for such determination shall be documented in the court record.

Added by Laws 1999, c. 301, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1999.  Amended by Laws 2001, c. 61, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2001

§43-110.1a.  Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program - Policy - Definitions.

A.  This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program".

B.  It is the policy of this state to ensure that the health, safety, and welfare of the child is paramount when supervised visitation is ordered by the court.

C.  For purposes of the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program:

1.  "Supervised visitation" means the court-ordered contact between a noncustodial parent and one or more children of such parent in the presence of a third-party person who is responsible for observing and overseeing the visitation in order to provide for the safety of the child and any other parties during the visitation.  The court may require supervised visitation when deemed necessary by the court to protect the child or other parties;

2.  An "alcohol-dependent person" has the same meaning as such term defined in Section 3-403 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3.  A "drug-dependent person" has the same meaning as such term defined in Section 3-403 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

4.  "Domestic abuse" has the same meaning as such term defined in Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

D.  1.  The associate district judge in each county within this state may select trained volunteers to provide supervised visitation pursuant to the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program.

2.  By February 15, 2005, the associate district judge of each county may appoint a judicial district supervised visitation team to:

a. identify public and private entities which will be willing to provide location sites for purposes of the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program,

b. identify individuals who will be willing to serve as third-party persons to observe and oversee court-ordered supervised visitations,

c. establish training requirements for volunteers,

d. identify programs which may be available for the training of the volunteers including, but not limited to, the Department of Human Services, Office of the Attorney General, child advocacy centers, domestic violence groups, and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services,

e. develop written protocol for handling supervised visitations so as to provide safety of the child and other parties during the supervised visitation,

f. develop application forms for volunteers applying for the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program.  Information listed on the form shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) name, address and phone number of the volunteer,

(2) volunteer's place of employment and phone number,

(3) areas of expertise,

(4) listing of professional training in areas including, but not limited to, child abuse, domestic abuse, alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness or conflict management,

(5) consent form specifying release of information, and

(6) professional references, and

g. identify which information of the parties and the child will be confidential and which may be available to others.

3.  From recommendations of the team established pursuant to this subsection, the associate district judge in each county within this state may authorize one or more public or private agencies to provide location sites for the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program.  A district judge may require either party requesting supervised visitation of a child to identify a trained third-party volunteer to observe and oversee the visitation.  A district court shall not:

a. require any state agency location or state employee to observe and oversee any supervised visitation, or

b. appoint a third party to observe and oversee a supervised visitation who has not received the training as specified by the judicial district supervised visitation team unless agreed to by the parties.

4.  A participating public or private agency location site may charge a fee for each visit.

E.  The protocol for supervised visitation established by each judicial district supervised visitation team may require that:

1.  The location site require each participant who has court-ordered supervised visitation for a child and who is participating in the supervised visitation program to sign a time log upon arrival and departure.  The agency location site must have an employee assigned to verify identification of each participant, initial each signature, and record the time of each person's arrival and departure; and

2.  The agency location site also contain information on each client case including, but not limited to:

a. a copy of the court order requiring supervised visitation, and

b. name of individuals authorized to pick up or deliver a child to the agency location site for supervised visitation.

F.  Each judicial district supervised visitation team may include, but not be limited to:

1.  Mental health professionals;

2.  Police officers or other law enforcement agents;

3.  Medical personnel;

4.  Child protective services workers;  

5.  Child advocacy individuals; and

6.  The district attorney or designee.

G.  An associate district judge of a county, the judicial district supervised visitation team created pursuant to this section and the Office of the Court Administrator may develop an informational brochure outlining the provisions of the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program and procedures to be used by volunteers in that judicial district.  The brochure may be distributed through the municipal and district court, social service agency centers, county health departments, hospitals, crisis or counseling centers, and community action agencies.

H.  Except for acts of dishonesty, willful criminal acts, or gross negligence, no member of the judicial district supervised visitation team or volunteer shall be charged personally with any liability whatsoever by reason of any act or omission committed or suffered in the performance of the duties pursuant to the provisions of this section.

I.  The provisions of this section shall not apply to cases subject to the Oklahoma Children's Code and the Oklahoma Juvenile Code.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 415, § 5, eff. Dec. 15, 2004.

§43-110.2.  Blood, saliva, urine or any other tests - Child custody or visitation.

In any action in which the custody of or the visitation with a child is a relevant fact and at issue, the court may order the mother, the child or father to submit to blood, saliva, urine or any other test deemed necessary by the court in determining that the custody of or visitation with the child will be in the best interests of the child.  If so ordered and any party or child refuses to submit to such tests, the court may enforce its order if the rights of others and the interests of justice so require unless such individual is found to have good cause for refusing to cooperate.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 422, § 2, eff. July 1, 2004.

§43111.  Indirect contempt for disobedience of certain orders relating to divorce or separate maintenance actions.

Any order pertaining to the division of property pursuant to a divorce or separate maintenance action, if willfully disobeyed, may be enforced as an indirect contempt of court.

Added by Laws 1982, c. 14, § 1.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1276.2 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1992, c. 252, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1992.

§43-111.1.  Minimum visitation between noncustodial parent and child - Failure to pay child support - Enforcement of visitation order.

A.  1.  Any order providing for the visitation of a noncustodial parent with any of the children of such noncustodial parent shall provide a specified minimum amount of visitation between the noncustodial parent and the child unless the court determines otherwise.

2.  Except for good cause shown and when in the best interests of the child, the order shall encourage additional visitations of the noncustodial parent and the child and in addition encourage liberal telephone communications between the noncustodial parent and the child.

B.  1.  Except for good cause shown, when a noncustodial parent who is ordered to pay child support and who is awarded visitation rights fails to pay child support, the custodial parent shall not refuse to honor the noncustodial parent's visitation rights.

2.  When a custodial parent refuses to honor a noncustodial parent's visitation rights, the noncustodial parent shall not fail to pay any ordered child support or alimony.

C.  1.  Violation of an order providing for the payment of child support or providing for the visitation of a noncustodial parent with any of the children of such noncustodial parent may be prosecuted as indirect civil contempt pursuant to Section 566 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the court.

2.  Unless good cause is shown for the noncompliance, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover court costs and attorney fees expended in enforcing the order and any other reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the denied child support or denied visitation as authorized by the court.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 285, § 1, emerg. eff. May 24, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1990, c. 171, § 1, operative July 1, 1990.  Renumbered from § 1276.3 of Title 12 by Laws 1990, c. 171, § 3, operative July 1, 1990 and by Laws 1990, c. 188, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1990.  Amended by Laws 1999, c. 301, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2000, c. 384, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2000.

§43-111.1A.  Standard visitation schedule - Advisory guidelines.

A.  By January 1, 2005, the Administrative Director of the Courts shall have developed a standard visitation schedule and advisory guidelines which may be used by the district courts of this state as deemed necessary.

B.  The standard visitation schedule should include a minimum graduated visitation schedule for children under the age of five (5) years and a minimum graduated visitation schedule for children five (5) years of age through seventeen (17) years of age.  In addition, the standard visitation schedule should address:

1.  Midweek and weekend time-sharing;

2.  Differing geographical residences of the custodian and noncustodian of the child requesting visitation;

3.  Holidays, including Friday and Monday holidays;

4.  Summer vacation break;

5.  Midterm school breaks;

6.  Notice requirements and authorized reasons for cancellations of visitation;

7.  Transportation and transportation costs, including pick up and return of the child;

8.  Religious, school, and extracurricular activities;

9.  Grandparent and relative contact;

10.  The birthday of the child;

11.  Sibling visitation schedules;

12.  Special circumstances, including, but not limited to, emergencies; and

13.  Any other standards deemed necessary by the Administrative Director of the Courts.

C.  1.  The Administrative Director of the Courts shall develop advisory guidelines for use by the district courts when parties to any action concerning the custody of a child are unable to mutually agree upon a visitation schedule.

2.  The advisory guidelines should include the following considerations at a minimum:

a. a preference for visitation schedules that are mutually agreed upon by both parents over a court-imposed solution,

b. a visitation schedule which should maximize the continuity and stability of the life of the child,

c. special considerations should be given to each parent to make the child available to attend family functions, including funerals, weddings, family reunions, religious holidays, important ceremonies, and other significant events in the life of the child or in the life of either parent which may inadvertently conflict with the visitation schedule,

d. a visitation schedule which will not interrupt the regular school hours of the child,

e. a visitation schedule should reasonably accommodate the work schedule of both parents and may increase the visitation time allowed to the noncustodial parent but should not diminish the standardized visitation schedule provided in Section 111.1 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

f. a visitation schedule should reasonably accommodate the distance between the parties and the expense of exercising visitation,

g. each parent should permit and encourage liberal electronic contact during reasonable hours and uncensored mail privileges with the child, and

h. each parent should be entitled to an equal division of major religious holidays celebrated by the parents, and the parent who celebrates a religious holiday that the other parent does not celebrate shall have the right to be together with the child on the religious holiday.

D.  The Administrative Director of the Courts shall:

1.  Make the standard visitation schedule and advisory guidelines available to the district courts of this state; and

2.  Periodically review and update the guidelines as deemed necessary.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 422, § 1, eff. July 1, 2004.

§43-111.2.  Civil action for child stealing.

Any person who is not a party to a child custody proceeding, and who intentionally removes, causes the removal of, assists in the removal of, or detains any child under eighteen (18) years of age with intent to deny another person's right to custody of the child or visitation under an existing court order shall be liable in an action at law.  Remedies available pursuant to this section are in addition to any other remedies available by law or equity and may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1.  Damages for loss of service, society, and companionship;

2.  Compensatory damages for reasonable expenses incurred in searching for the missing child or attending court hearings; and

3.  The prevailing party in such action shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees.

Added by Laws 1995, c. 219, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.

§43-111.3.  Interference with visitation rights of noncustodial parent - Motion for enforcement.

A.  When a noncustodial parent has been granted visitation rights and those rights are denied or otherwise interfered with by the custodial parent, in addition to the remedy provided in subsection B of Section 111.1 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the noncustodial parent may file with the court clerk a motion for enforcement of visitation rights.  The motion shall be filed on a form provided by the court clerk.  Upon filing of the motion, the court shall immediately:

1.  Issue ex parte an order for mediation; or

2.  Set a hearing on the motion, which shall be not more than twenty-one (21) days after the filing of the motion.

B.  Within five (5) days of termination of mediation ordered pursuant to paragraph 1 of subsection A of this section, the mediator shall submit the record of termination and a summary of the parties' agreement, if any, to the court.  Upon receipt of the record of termination, the court shall enter an order in accordance with the parties' agreement, if any, or set the matter for hearing, which shall be not more than ten (10) days after the record of termination is received by the court.

C.  Notice of a hearing pursuant to subsection A or B of this section shall be given to all interested parties by certified mail, return receipt requested, or as ordered by the court.

D.  If the court finds that visitation rights of the noncustodial parent have been unreasonably denied or otherwise interfered with by the custodial parent, the court shall enter an order providing for one or more of the following:

1.  A specific visitation schedule;

2.  Compensating visitation time for the visitation denied or otherwise interfered with, which time shall be of the same type (e.g. holiday, weekday, weekend, summer) as the visitation denied or otherwise interfered with, and shall be at the convenience of the noncustodial parent;

3.  Posting of a bond, either cash or with sufficient sureties, conditioned upon compliance with the order granting visitation rights;

4.  Assessment of reasonable attorney fees, mediation costs, and court costs to enforce visitation rights against the custodial parent;

5.  Attendance of one or both parents at counseling or educational sessions which focus on the impact of visitation disputes on children;

6.  Supervised visitation; or

7.  Any other remedy the court considers appropriate, which may include an order which modifies a prior order granting child custody.

E.  If the court finds that the motion for enforcement of visitation rights has been unreasonably filed or pursued by the noncustodial parent, the court may assess reasonable attorney fees, mediation costs, and court costs against the noncustodial parent.

F.  Final disposition of a motion filed pursuant to this section shall take place no later than forty-five (45) days after filing of the motion.

G.  The Office of the Court Administrator shall develop the form required by subsection A of this section to be used for a motion to enforce visitation rights.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 42, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-112.  Care and custody of children.

A.  A petition or cross-petition for a divorce, legal separation, or annulment must state whether or not the parties have minor children of the marriage.  If there are minor children of the marriage, the court:

1.  Shall make provision for guardianship, custody, medical care, support and education of the children;

2.  Unless not in the best interests of the children, may provide for the visitation of the noncustodial parent with any of the children of the noncustodial parent; and

3.  May modify or change any order whenever circumstances render the change proper either before or after final judgment in the action; provided, that the amount of the periodic child support payment shall not be modified retroactively or payment of all or a portion of the past due amount waived, except by mutual agreement of the obligor and obligee, or if the obligee has assigned child support rights to the Department of Human Services or other entity, by agreement of the Department or other entity.  Unless the parties agree to the contrary, a completed child support computation form provided for in Section 120 of this title shall be required to be filed with the child support order.

The social security numbers of both parents and the child shall be included on the child support order summary form provided for in Section 120 of this title, which shall be submitted to the Central Case Registry as provided for in Section 112A of this title with all child support or paternity orders.

B.  In any action in which there are minor unmarried children in awarding or modifying the custody of the child or in appointing a general guardian for the child, the court shall be guided by the provisions of Section 21.1 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes and shall consider what appears to be in the best interests of the child.

C.  1.  When it is in the best interests of a minor unmarried child, the court shall:

a. assure children of frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage, and

b. encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities of child rearing in order to effect this policy.

2.  There shall be neither a legal preference nor a presumption for or against joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or sole custody.

3.  When in the best interests of the child, custody shall be awarded in a way which assures the frequent and continuing contact of the child with both parents.  When awarding custody to either parent, the court:

a. shall consider, among other facts, which parent is more likely to allow the child or children frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent, and

b. shall not prefer a parent as a custodian of the child because of the gender of that parent.

4.  In any action, there shall be neither a legal preference or a presumption for or against private or public school or home-schooling in awarding the custody of a child, or in appointing a general guardian for the child.

5.  In making an order for custody, the court shall require compliance with Section 8 of this act.

D.  1.  Except for good cause shown, a pattern of failure to allow court-ordered visitation may be determined to be contrary to the best interests of the child and as such may be grounds for modification of the child custody order.

2.  For any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section which the court determines to be contrary to the best interests of the child, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover court costs, attorney fees and any other reasonable costs and expenses incurred with the action.

E.  Except as otherwise provided by Section 112.1A of this title, any child shall be entitled to support by the parents until the child reaches eighteen (18) years of age.  If a dependent child is regularly and continuously attending high school, said child shall be entitled to support by the parents through the age of eighteen (18) years.  No hearing shall be required to extend such support through the age of eighteen (18) if the child is regularly and continuously attending high school.

F.  In any case in which provision is made for the custody or support of a minor child or enforcement of such order, the court shall inquire whether public assistance money or medical support has been provided by the Department of Human Services for the benefit of each child.  If public assistance money or medical support has been provided for the benefit of the child, the Department of Human Services shall be a necessary party for the just adjudication and establishment of the debt due and owing the State of Oklahoma, as defined in Section 238 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for the just adjudication and establishment of paternity, current child support, and medical insurance coverage for the minor children in accordance with federal regulations.

G.  In any case in which a child support order or custody order or both is entered, enforced or modified, the court may make a determination of the arrearages of child support.

R.L. 1910, § 4968.  Amended by Laws 1955, p. 142, § 1; Laws 1968, c. 226, § 1; Laws 1969, c. 334, § 1, emerg. eff. May 8, 1969; Laws 1973, c. 188, § 1; Laws 1974, c. 101, § 1, emerg. eff. April 30, 1974; Laws 1979, c. 93, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1979; Laws 1985, c. 297, § 16, operative Oct. 1, 1985; Laws 1987, c. 230, § 14, eff. Oct. 1, 1987.  Renumbered from § 1277 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1990, c. 171, § 2, operative July 1, 1990; Laws 1990, c. 309, § 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1990; Laws 1993, c. 307, § 1, emerg. eff. June 7, 1993; Laws 1994, c. 356, § 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1996, c. 131, § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 1997; Laws 1997, c. 403, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; Laws 1998, c. 5, § 13, emerg. eff. March 4, 1998; Laws 1998, c. 323, § 7, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Laws 1999, c. 301, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2000, c. 384, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2000; Laws 2002, c. 400, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 3, § 22, emerg. eff. March 19, 2003.

NOTE:  Laws 1997, c. 402, § 10 repealed by Laws 1998, c. 5, § 29, emerg. eff. March 4, 1998.  Laws 2002, c. 314, § 2 repealed by Laws 2003, c. 3, § 23, emerg. eff. March 19, 2003.  Laws 2002, c. 445, § 18 repealed by Laws 2003, c. 3, § 24, emerg. eff. March 19, 2003.

§43-112.1A.  Definitions - Child support - Parental rights and duties - Actions and jurisdiction.

A.  In this section:

1.  "Adult child" means a child eighteen (18) years of age or older.

2.  "Child" means a son or daughter of any age.

B.  1.  The court may order either or both parents to provide for the support of a child for an indefinite period and may determine the rights and duties of the parents if the court finds that:

a. the child, whether institutionalized or not, requires substantial care and personal supervision because of a mental or physical disability and will not be capable of self-support, and

b. the disability exists, or the cause of the disability is known to exist, on or before the eighteenth birthday of the child.

2.  A court that orders support under this section shall designate a parent of the child or another person having physical custody or guardianship of the child under a court order to receive the support for the child.  The court may designate a child who is eighteen (18) years of age or older to receive the support directly.

C.  1.  A suit provided by this section may be filed only by:

a. a parent of the child or another person having physical custody or guardianship of the child under a court order, or

b. the child if the child:

(1) is eighteen (18) years of age or older,

(2) does not have a mental disability, and

(3) is determined by the court to be capable of managing the child's financial affairs.

2.  The parent, the child, if the child is eighteen (18) years of age or older, or other person may not transfer or assign the cause of action to any person, including a governmental or private entity or agency, except for an assignment made to the Title IV-D agency.

D.  1.  A suit under this section may be filed:

a. regardless of the age of the child, and

b. as an independent cause of action or joined with any other claim or remedy provided by this title.

2.  If no court has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the child, an action under this section may be filed as an original suit.

3.  If there is a court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction, an action under this section may be filed as a suit for modification pursuant to Section 115 of this title.

E.  In determining the amount of support to be paid after a child's eighteenth birthday, the specific terms and conditions of that support, and the rights and duties of both parents with respect to the support of the child, the court shall determine and give special consideration to:

1.  Any existing or future needs of the adult child directly related to the adult child's mental or physical disability and the substantial care and personal supervision directly required by or related to that disability;

2.  Whether the parent pays for or will pay for the care or supervision of the adult child or provides or will provide substantial care or personal supervision of the adult child;

3.  The financial resources available to both parents for the support, care, and supervision of the adult child; and

4.  Any other financial resources or other resources or programs available for the support, care, and supervision of the adult child.

F.  An order provided by this section may contain provisions governing the rights and duties of both parents with respect to the support of the child and may be modified or enforced in the same manner as any other order provided by this title.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 407, § 5, eff. July 1, 2001.

§43-112.2.  Evidence of ongoing domestic abuse or child abuse - Determinations relating to convicted sex offenders - Presumption.

A.  In every case involving the custody of, guardianship of or visitation with a child, the court shall consider for determining the custody of, guardianship of or the visitation with a child whether any person seeking custody or who has custody of, guardianship of or visitation with a child:

1.  Is or has been subject to the registration requirements of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or any similar act in any other state;

2.  Has been convicted of a crime listed in the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act or in Section 582 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3.  Is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person as established by clear and convincing evidence and who can be expected in the near future to inflict or attempt to inflict serious bodily harm to himself or herself or another person as a result of such dependency;

4.  Has been convicted of domestic abuse within the past five (5) years;

5.  Is residing with an individual who is or has been subject to the registration requirements of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or any similar act in any other state;

6.  Is residing with a person who has been convicted of a crime listed in the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act or in Section 582 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes; or

7.  Is residing with a person who has been convicted of domestic abuse within the past five (5) years.

B.  There shall be a rebuttable presumption that it is not in the best interests of the child to have custody or guardianship granted to a person who:

1.  Is subject to or has been subject to the registration requirements of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or any similar act in any other state;

2.  Has been convicted of a crime listed in the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act or in Section 582 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3.  Is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person as established by clear and convincing evidence and who can be expected in the near future to inflict or attempt to inflict serious bodily harm to himself or herself or another person as a result of such dependency;

4.  Has been convicted of domestic abuse within the past five (5) years;

5.  Is residing with a person who is or has been subject to the registration requirements of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or any similar act in any other state;  

6.  Is residing with a person who has been convicted of a crime listed in the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act or in Section 582 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes; or

7.  Is residing with a person convicted of domestic abuse within the past five (5) years.

C.  Custody of, guardianship of, or visitation with a child shall not be granted to any person if it is established that the custody, guardianship or visitation will likely expose the child to a foreseeable risk of material harm.

D.  Except as otherwise provided by the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program, court-ordered supervised visitation shall be governed by the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program.

E.  For purposes of this section:

1.  "Alcohol-dependent person" has the same meaning as such term is defined in Section 3-403 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes;

2.  "Domestic abuse" has the same meaning as such term is defined in Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3.  "Drug-dependent person" has the same meaning as such term is defined in Section 3-403 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

4.  "Supervised visitation" means a program established pursuant to Section 5 of this act.

Added by Laws 1991, c. 113, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.  Amended by Laws 2002, c. 445, § 19, eff. Nov. 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 3, § 25, emerg. eff. March 19, 2003; Laws 2004, c. 415, § 4, emerg. eff. June 4, 2004.

NOTE:  Laws 2002, c. 413, § 3 repealed by Laws 2003, c. 3, § 26, emerg. eff. March 19, 2003.

§43-112.3.  Notice of proposed relocation or change of residence.

A.  As used in this section:

1.  "Change of residence address" means a change in the primary residence of an adult;

2.  "Child" means a child under the age of eighteen (18) who has not been judicially emancipated;

3.  "Person entitled to custody of or visitation with a child" means a person so entitled by virtue of a court order or by an express agreement that is subject to court enforcement;

4.  "Principal residence of a child" means:

a. the location designated by a court to be the primary residence of the child,

b. in the absence of a court order, the location at which the parties have expressly agreed that the child will primarily reside, or

c. in the absence of a court order or an express agreement, the location, if any, at which the child, preceding the time involved, lived with the child's parents, a parent, or a person acting as parent for at least six (6) consecutive months and, in the case of a child less than six (6) months old, the location at which the child lived from birth with any of the persons mentioned.  Periods of temporary absence of any of the named persons are counted as part of the six-month or other period; and

5.  "Relocation" means a change in the principal residence of a child over seventy-five (75) miles from the child's principal residence for a period of sixty (60) days or more, but does not include a temporary absence from the principal residence.

B.  1.  Except as otherwise provided by this section, a person who has the right to establish the principal residence of the child shall notify every other person entitled to visitation with the child of a proposed relocation of the child's principal residence as required by this section.

2.  Except as otherwise provided by this section, an adult entitled to visitation with a child shall notify every other person entitled to custody of or visitation with the child of an intended change in the primary residence address of the adult as required by this section.

C.  1.  Except as provided by this section, notice of a proposed relocation of the principal residence of a child or notice of an intended change of the primary residence address of an adult must be given:

a. by mail to the last-known address of the person to be notified, and

b. no later than:

(1) the sixtieth day before the date of the intended move or proposed relocation, or

(2)  the tenth day after the date that the person knows the information required to be furnished pursuant to this subsection, if the person did not know and could not reasonably have known the information in sufficient time to comply with the sixty-day notice, and it is not reasonably possible to extend the time for relocation of the child.

2.  Except as provided by this section, the following information, if available, must be included with the notice of intended relocation of the child or change of primary residence of an adult:

a. the intended new residence, including the specific address, if known,

b. the mailing address, if not the same,

c. the home telephone number, if known,

d. the date of the intended move or proposed relocation,

e. a brief statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation of a child, if applicable,

f. a proposal for a revised schedule of visitation with the child, if any, and

g. a warning to the nonrelocating parent that an objection to the relocation must be made within thirty (30) days or the relocation will be permitted.

3.  A person required to give notice of a proposed relocation or change of residence address under this subsection has a continuing duty to provide a change in or addition to the information required by this subsection as that information becomes known.

D.  After the effective date of this act, an order issued by a court directed to a person entitled to custody of or visitation with a child shall include the following or substantially similar terms:

"You, as a party in this action, are ordered to notify every other party to this action of a proposed relocation of the child, change of your primary residence address, and the following information:

1.  The intended new residence, including the specific address, if known;

2.  The mailing address, if not the same;

3.  The home telephone number, if known;

4.  The date of the intended move or proposed relocation;

5.  A brief statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation of a child, if applicable; and

6.  A proposal for a revised schedule of visitation with the child, if any.

You are further ordered to give notice of the proposed relocation or change of residence address on or before the sixtieth day before a proposed change.  If you do not know and could not have reasonably known of the change in sufficient time to provide a sixty-day notice, you are ordered to give notice of the change on or before the tenth day after the date that you know of the change.

Your obligation to furnish this information to every other party continues as long as you, or any other person, by virtue of this order, are entitled to custody of or visitation with a child covered by this order.

Your failure to obey the order of this court to provide every other party with notice of information regarding the proposed relocation or change of residence address may result in further litigation to enforce the order, including contempt of court.

In addition, your failure to notify of a relocation of the child may be taken into account in a modification of custody of, visitation with, possession of or access to the child.  Reasonable costs and attorney fees also may be assessed against you if you fail to give the required notice.

If you, as the nonrelocating parent, do not file a proceeding seeking a temporary or permanent order to prevent the relocation within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice of the intent of the other party to relocate the residence of the child, relocation is authorized."

E.  1.  On a finding by the court that the health, safety, or liberty of a person or a child would be unreasonably put at risk by the disclosure of the required identifying information in conjunction with a proposed relocation of the child or change of residence of an adult, the court may order that:

a. the specific residence address and telephone number of the child or of the adult and other identifying information shall not be disclosed in the pleadings, other documents filed in the proceeding, or the final order, except for an in camera disclosure,

b. the notice requirements provided by this article be waived to the extent necessary to protect confidentiality and the health, safety or liberty of a person or child, and

c. any other remedial action that the court considers necessary to facilitate the legitimate needs of the parties and the best interest of the child.

2.  If appropriate, the court may conduct an ex parte hearing pursuant to this subsection.

F.  1.  The court may consider a failure to provide notice of a proposed relocation of a child as provided by this section as:

a. a factor in making its determination regarding the relocation of a child,

b. a factor in determining whether custody or visitation should be modified,

c. a basis for ordering the return of the child if the relocation has taken place without notice, and

d. sufficient cause to order the person seeking to relocate the child to pay reasonable expenses and attorney fees incurred by the person objecting to the relocation.

2.  In addition to the sanctions provided by this subsection, the court may make a finding of contempt if a party violates the notice requirement required by this section and may impose the sanctions authorized for contempt of a court order.

G.  1.  The person entitled to custody of a child may relocate the principal residence of a child after providing notice as provided by this section unless a parent entitled to notice files a proceeding seeking a temporary or permanent order to prevent the relocation within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice.

2.  A parent entitled by court order or written agreement to visitation with a child may file a proceeding objecting to a proposed relocation of the principal residence of a child and seek a temporary or permanent order to prevent the relocation.

3.  If relocation of the child is proposed, a nonparent entitled by court order or written agreement to visitation with a child may file a proceeding to obtain a revised schedule of visitation, but may not object to the proposed relocation or seek a temporary or permanent order to prevent the relocation.

4.  A proceeding filed pursuant to this subsection must be filed within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of a proposed relocation.

H.  1.  The court may grant a temporary order restraining the relocation of a child, or ordering return of the child if a relocation has previously taken place, if the court finds:

a. the required notice of a proposed relocation of a child as provided by this section was not provided in a timely manner and the parties have not presented an agreed-upon revised schedule for visitation with the child for the court's approval,

b. the child already has been relocated without notice, agreement of the parties, or court approval, or

c. from an examination of the evidence presented at the temporary hearing there is a likelihood that on final hearing the court will not approve the relocation of the primary residence of the child.

2.  The court may grant a temporary order permitting the relocation of the child pending final hearing if the court:

a. finds that the required notice of a proposed relocation of a child as provided by this section was provided in a timely manner and issues an order for a revised schedule for temporary visitation with the child, and

b. finds from an examination of the evidence presented at the temporary hearing there is a likelihood that on final hearing the court will approve the relocation of the primary residence of the child.

I.  A proposed relocation of a child may be a factor in considering a change of custody.

J.  1.  In reaching its decision regarding a proposed relocation, the court shall consider the following factors:

a. the nature, quality, extent of involvement, and duration of the child's relationship with the person proposing to relocate and with the nonrelocating person, siblings, and other significant persons in the child's life,

b. the age, developmental stage, needs of the child, and the likely impact the relocation will have on the child's physical, educational, and emotional development, taking into consideration any special needs of the child,

c. the feasibility of preserving the relationship between the nonrelocating person and the child through suitable visitation arrangements, considering the logistics and financial circumstances of the parties,

d. the child's preference, taking into consideration the age and maturity of the child,

e. whether there is an established pattern of conduct of the person seeking the relocation, either to promote or thwart the relationship of the child and the nonrelocating person,

f. whether the relocation of the child will enhance the general quality of life for both the custodial party seeking the relocation and the child, including but not limited to financial or emotional benefit or educational opportunity,

g. the reasons of each person for seeking or opposing the relocation, and

h. any other factor affecting the best interest of the child.

2.  The court may not:

a. give undue weight to the temporary relocation as a factor in reaching its final decision, if the court has issued a temporary order authorizing a party seeking to relocate a child to move before final judgment is issued, or

b. consider whether the person seeking relocation of the child has declared that he or she will not relocate if relocation of the child is denied.

K.  The relocating person has the burden of proof that the proposed relocation is made in good faith.  If that burden of proof is met, the burden shifts to the nonrelocating person to show that the proposed relocation is not in the best interest of the child.

L.  1.  After notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond, the court may impose a sanction on a person proposing a relocation of the child or objecting to a proposed relocation of a child if it determines that the proposal was made or the objection was filed:

a. to harass a person or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation,

b. without being warranted by existing law or was based on frivolous argument, or

c. based on allegations and other factual contentions which had no evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, could not have been reasonably believed to be likely to have evidentiary support after further investigation.

2.  A sanction imposed under this subsection shall be limited to what is sufficient to deter repetition of such conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly situated.  The sanction may include directives of a nonmonetary nature, an order to pay a penalty into court, or, if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence, an order directing payment to the other party of some or all of the reasonable attorney fees and other expenses incurred as a direct result of the violation.

M.  If the issue of relocation is presented at the initial hearing to determine custody of and visitation with a child, the court shall apply the factors set forth in this section in making its initial determination.

N.  1.  The provisions of this section apply to an order regarding custody of or visitation with a child issued:

a. after the effective date of this act, and

b. before the effective date of this act, if the existing custody order or enforceable agreement does not expressly govern the relocation of the child or there is a change in the primary residence address of an adult affected by the order.

2.  To the extent that a provision of this section conflicts with an existing custody order or enforceable agreement, this section does not apply to the terms of that order or agreement that govern relocation of the child or a change in the primary residence address of an adult.

Added by Laws 2002, c. 400, § 8, eff. Nov 1, 2002.

§43-112A.  Central case registry on IV─D cases and child support orders.

A.  1.  The Child Support Enforcement Division of the Department of Human Services shall maintain a central case registry on all Title IV-D cases and all child support orders established or modified in this state after October 1, 1998.  Title IV-D cases are cases in which child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

2.  In Title IV-D cases, the case registry shall include, but not be limited to, information required to be transmitted to the federal case registry pursuant to 42 U.S.C., Section 654A.

3.  In cases in which child support services are not being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes and in which a child support order is established or modified in this state after October 1, 1998, the case registry shall include, but not be limited to, information required to be transmitted to the federal case registry pursuant to 42 U.S.C., Section 654A, and information from the support order summary form provided for in Section 120 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

B.  1.  All orders entered after October 31, 2001, which establish paternity or establish, modify or enforce a child support obligation shall state for all parties and custodians subject to the order:

a. an address of record for service of process in support, visitation and custody actions, and

b. the address of record may be different from the party's or custodian's physical address.

2.  The address shall be maintained by the central case registry.  The order shall direct that any changes in the address of record shall be provided in writing to the central case registry within thirty (30) days of the change.  The address of record is subject to disclosure to a party or custodian upon request pursuant to the provisions of this section and rules promulgated by the Department of Human Services.  The Department of Human Services may refuse to disclose address and location information if the Department has reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse and the disclosure of such information could be harmful to a party, custodian or child.

C.  1.  All parties and custodians ordered to provide an address of record to the central case registry as specified in this section may, in subsequent child support actions, be served with process by regular mail to the last address of record provided to the central case registry.

2.  Proof of service shall be made by a certificate of mailing from a United States Post Office, or in child support cases where services are being provided under the state child support plan, by a certificate of mailing from the child support representative.

D.  The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 402, § 11, eff. July 1, 1997.  Amended by Laws 2001, c. 407, § 4, eff. July 1, 2001.

§43113.  Preference of child.

A.  In any action or proceeding in which a court must determine custody or limits of or period of visitation, the child may express a preference as to which of its parents the child wishes to have custody.

B.  1.  The court shall determine whether the best interest of the child will be served by the child's expression of preference as to which parent should have custody or limits of or period of visitation rights of either parent.  If the court so finds, the child may express such preference or give other testimony.

2.  If the child is of a sufficient age to form an intelligent preference, the court shall consider the expression of preference or other testimony of the child in determining custody or limits of or period of visitation.  The court shall not be bound by the child's choice and may take other facts into consideration in awarding custody or limits of or period of visitation.  However, if the child is of a sufficient age to form an intelligent preference and the court does not follow the expression of preference of the child as to custody, or limits of visitation, the court shall make specific findings of fact supporting such action if requested by either party.

3.  There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a child who is twelve (12) years of age or older is of a sufficient age to form an intelligent preference.

C.  If the child expresses a preference or gives testimony, such preference or testimony may be taken by the court in chambers without the parents or other parties present.  If attorneys are not allowed to be present, the court shall state, for the record, the reasons for their exclusion.  At the request of either party, a record shall be made of any such proceeding in chambers.

Added by Laws 1975, c. 183, § 1.  Amended by Laws 1986, c. 196, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1986.  Renumbered from § 1277.1 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 2002, c. 373, § 1, emerg. eff. June 4, 2002.

§43114.  Interest on delinquent courtordered child support payments and payments of suit money.

Court-ordered child support payments and courtordered payments of suit moneys shall draw interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per year from the date they become delinquent, and the interest shall be collected in the same manner as the payments upon which the interest accrues.

Laws 1977, c. 15, § 1.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1277.3 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1994, c. 356, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43115.  Order for child support or modification of order  Provision for income assignment.

A.  Every order providing for the support of a minor child or a modification of such order, whether issued by a district court or an administrative court, shall contain an immediate income assignment provision if child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, regardless of whether support payments by such parent are in arrears.

B.  In all child support cases arising out of an action for divorce, paternity or other proceeding in which services are not being provided under the state child support plan, the district court shall order the wage of the obligor subject to immediate income assignment, regardless of whether support payments by such parent are in arrears, unless:

1.  One of the parties demonstrates and the district court finds there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding; or

2.  A written agreement is reached between the parties which provides for an alternative arrangement.

C.  The obligated party may execute a voluntary income assignment at any time.  The voluntary assignment shall be filed with the district or administrative court and shall take effect after service on the payor, as required by Section 1171.3 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1985, c. 297, § 17, operative Oct. 1, 1985.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1277.4 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1994, c. 365, § 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1997, c. 402, § 12, eff. July 1, 1997.

§43116.  Security, bond or other guarantee for child support.

The district or administrative court may order a person obligated to support a minor child to post a security, bond, or other guarantee in a form and amount satisfactory to the court to ensure the payment of child support.

Added by Laws 1985, c. 297, § 18, operative Oct. 1, 1985.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1277.5 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1994, c. 365, § 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43117.  Modification, suspension or termination of order for income assignment.

A.  Except as otherwise provided by subsection B of this section, the person obligated to pay support or the person entitled to the support may petition the district or administrative court to:

1.  Modify, suspend, or terminate the order for income assignment because of a modification, suspension, or termination of the underlying order for support; or

2.  Modify the amount of income to be withheld to reflect payment in full of the delinquency by income assignment or otherwise; or

3.  Suspend the order for income assignment because of inability to deliver income withheld to the person entitled to support payments due to the failure of the person entitled to support to provide a mailing address or other means of delivery.

B.  If the income assignment has been initiated by the Department of Human Services, the district court shall notify the Department of Human Services prior to the termination, modification, or suspension of the income assignment order.

Added by Laws 1985, c. 297, § 19, operative Oct. 1, 1985.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1277.6 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1994, c. 365, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-118.  Child support guidelines.

A.  Except in those cases where parties represented by counsel have agreed to a different disposition, there shall be a rebuttable presumption in any judicial or administrative proceeding for the award of child support, that the amount of the award which would result from the application of the following guidelines is the correct amount of child support to be awarded.

B.  The district or administrative court may deviate from the amount of child support indicated by the child support guidelines if the amount of support so indicated is unjust, inequitable, unreasonable, or inappropriate under the circumstances, or not in the best interests of the child.  If the district or administrative court deviates from the amount of child support indicated by the child support guidelines, the court shall make specific findings of fact supporting such action.

C.  The court shall not take into account any stepchildren of such parent in making the determination, but in making such determination, the court may take into account the reasonable support obligations of either parent as to only natural, legal, or legally adopted minor children in the custody of the parent.

D.  For purposes of this section and in determining child support, the noncustodial parent shall be designated the obligor and the custodial parent shall be designated the obligee.

E.  The child support guidelines are as follows:

1.  All child support shall be computed as a percentage of the combined gross income of both parents.  The Child Support Guideline Schedule as provided in Section 119 of this title shall be used for such computation.  The child support obligations of each parent shall be computed.  The obligor's share shall be paid monthly to the obligee and shall be due on a specific date;

2. a. (1) "Gross income", subject to paragraph 3 of this subsection, includes earned and passive income from any source, except as excluded in this section.

(2) "Earned income" is defined as income received from labor, or the sale of goods or services and includes, but is not limited to, income from:

(a) salaries,

(b) wages,

(c) commissions,

(d) bonuses, and

(e) severance pay.

(3) "Passive income" is defined as all other income and includes, but is not limited to, income from:

(a) dividends,

(b) pensions,

(c) rent,

(d) interest income,

(e) trust income,

(f) annuities,

(g) social security benefits,

(h) workers' compensation benefits,

(i) unemployment insurance benefits,

(j) disability insurance benefits,

(k) gifts,  

(l) prizes, and

(m) royalties.

b. Specifically excluded from gross income are:

(1) actual child support received for children not before the court, and

(2) benefits received from means-tested public assistance programs including, but not limited to:

(a) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),

(b) Supplemental Security Income (SSI),

(c) Food Stamps, and

(d) General Assistance and State Supplemental Payments for Aged, Blind and the Disabled;

3. a. For income from self-employment, rent, royalties, proprietorship of a business, or joint ownership of a partnership or closely held corporation, "gross income" is defined as gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary expenses required for self-employment or business operations.

b. Specifically excluded from ordinary and necessary expenses for purposes of this paragraph are amounts determined by the district or administrative court to be inappropriate for determining gross income for purposes of calculating child support.

c. The district or administrative court shall carefully review income and expenses from self-employment or operation of a business to determine an appropriate level of gross income available to the parent to satisfy a child support obligation.

d. The district or administrative court shall deduct from self-employment gross income an amount equal to the employer contribution for F.I.C.A. tax which an employer would withhold from an employee's earnings on an equivalent gross income amount.  A determination of business income for tax purposes shall not control for purposes of determining a child support obligation.

e. Expense reimbursements or in-kind payments received by a parent in the course of employment, self-employment, or operation of a business shall be counted as income if they are significant and reduce personal living expenses.  Such payments may include but are not limited to a company car, free housing, or reimbursed meals;

4. a. For purposes of computing gross income of the parents, the district or administrative court shall include for each parent, whichever is most equitable, either:

(1) all earned and passive monthly income,

(2) all passive income, and earned income equivalent to a forty-hour work week plus such overtime and supplemental income as the court deems equitable,

(3) the average of the gross monthly income for the time actually employed during the previous three (3) years, or

(4) the minimum wage paid for a forty-hour work week.

b. If equitable, the district or administrative court may instead impute as gross monthly income for either parent the amount a person with comparable education, training and experience could reasonably expect to earn.

c. If a parent is permanently physically or mentally incapacitated, the child support obligation shall be computed on the basis of actual monthly gross income;

5.  The amount of any preexisting district or administrative court order for current child support for children not before the court or for support alimony arising in a prior case shall be deducted from gross income to the extent payment is actually made under the order;

6.  The amount of reasonable expenses of the parties attributable to debt service for preexisting, jointly acquired debt of the parents may be deducted from gross income to the extent payment of the debt is actually made.  In any case where deduction for debt service is made, the district or administrative court may provide for prospective upward adjustments of support made possible by the reasonably anticipated reduction or elimination of any debt service;

7.  The results of paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this subsection shall be denominated "adjusted gross income";

8.  In cases in which one parent has sole custody, the adjusted monthly gross income of both parents shall be added together and the Child Support Guideline Schedule consulted for the total combined base monthly obligation for child support;

9.  After the total combined child support is determined, the percentage share of each parent shall be allocated by computing the percentage contribution of each parent to the combined adjusted gross income and allocating that same percentage to the child support obligation to determine the base child support obligation of each parent;

10. a. In cases where shared parenting time has been ordered by a district court or agreed to by the parents, the base monthly obligation shall be adjusted.  "Shared parenting time" means that each parent has physical custody of the child or children overnight for more than one hundred twenty (120) nights each year.

b. An adjustment for shared parenting time shall be made to the base monthly child support obligation by the following formula:  The total combined base monthly child support obligation shall be multiplied by one and one-half (1 1/2).  The result shall be designated the adjusted combined child support obligation.

c. To determine each parent's adjusted child support obligation, the adjusted combined child support obligation shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their respective adjusted gross incomes.

d. (1) The percentage of time a child spends with each parent shall be calculated by determining the number of nights the child is in the physical custody of each parent and dividing that number by three hundred sixty-five (365).

(2) Each parent's share of the adjusted combined child support obligation shall then be multiplied by the percentage of time the child spends with the other parent to determine the base child support obligation owed to the other parent.

(3) The respective adjusted base child support obligations for each parent are then offset, with the parent owing more base child support paying the difference between the two amounts to the other parent.  The base child support obligation of the parent owing the lesser amount is then set at zero dollars.

e. The parent owing the greater amount of base child support shall pay the difference between the two amounts as a child support order.  In no case shall the amount of child support ordered to be paid exceed the amount of child support which would otherwise be ordered to be paid if the parents did not participate in shared parenting time.

f. In no event shall the provisions of this paragraph be construed to authorize or allow the payment of child support by the custodial parent to the noncustodial parent;

11. a. The actual medical and dental insurance premium for the child shall be allocated between the parents in the same proportion as their adjusted gross income and shall be added to the base child support obligation.  If the insurance policy covers a person other than the child before the court, only that portion of the premium attributed to the child before the court shall be allocated and added to the base child support obligation.

b. If the obligor pays the medical insurance premium, the obligor shall receive credit against the base child support obligation for the obligee's allocated share of the medical insurance premium.

c. If the obligee pays the medical insurance premium, the obligor shall pay the obligor's allocated share of the medical insurance premium to the obligee as part of the base child support obligation;

12.  In cases of split custody, where each parent is awarded custody of at least one of their natural or legally adopted children, the child support obligation for each parent shall be calculated by application of the child support guidelines for each custodial arrangement.  The parent with the larger child support obligation shall pay the difference between the two amounts to the parent with the smaller child support obligation;

13. a. The district or administrative court shall determine the "actual" child care expenses reasonably necessary to enable either or both parents to:

(1) be employed,

(2) seek employment, or

(3) attend school or training to enhance employment income.

b. When the obligee is participating in the Department of Human Services child care subsidy program as provided under Section 230.50 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the Child Care Eligibility/Rates Schedule established by the Department shall be used to determine the amount to be treated as actual child care costs incurred.  When applying the schedule to determine the family share copayment amount, the obligor's share of the base monthly obligation for child support and the obligee's gross income shall be considered as the obligee's monthly income.  The actual child care costs incurred shall be the family share copayment amount indicated on the schedule which shall be allocated and paid monthly in the same proportion as base child support.  The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules, as necessary, to implement the provisions of this subparagraph.

c. The actual child care costs incurred for the purposes authorized by this paragraph shall be allocated and paid monthly in the same proportion as base child support.

d. The district or administrative court shall require the obligee to provide the obligor with timely documentation of any change in the amount of the child care costs.  Upon request by the obligor, whose requests shall not exceed one each month, or upon order of the court, the obligee shall provide the documentation of the amount of incurred child care costs which are related to employment, employment search or education or training as authorized by this paragraph.

e. If the court determines that it will not cause detriment to the child or will not cause undue hardship to either parent, in lieu of payment of child care expenses incurred during employment, employment search, or while the obligee is attending school or training, the obligor may provide care for the child during that time;

14.  Reasonable and necessary medical, dental, orthodontic, optometric, psychological, or any other physical or mental health expenses of the child incurred by either parent and not reimbursed by insurance may be allocated in the same proportion as the parents' adjusted gross income as separate items that are not added to the base child support obligation.  If reimbursement is required, the parent who incurs the expense shall be reimbursed by the other parent within thirty (30) days of receipt of documentation of the expense;

15.  Transportation expenses of a child between the homes of the parents may be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross income;

16. a. (1) Child support orders may be modified upon a material change in circumstances.

(2) Modification of the Child Support Guideline Schedule shall not alone be a material change in circumstances for child support orders in existence on November 1, 1999.

(3) Providing support for children born to or adopted by either parent after the entry of a child support order shall not alone be considered a material change in circumstances.

(4) An order of modification shall be effective upon the date the motion to modify was filed, unless the parties agree to the contrary or the court makes a specific finding of fact that the material change of circumstance did not occur until a later date.

b. (1) A child support order shall not be modified retroactively regardless of whether support was ordered in a temporary order, a decree of divorce, an order establishing paternity, modification of an order of support, or other action to establish or to enforce support.

(2) All final orders shall state whether past due support and interest has accrued pursuant to any temporary order and the amount due, if any; however, failure to state a past due amount shall not bar collection of that amount after entry of the final support order.

c. The amount of a child support order shall not be construed to be an amount per child unless specified by the district or administrative court in the order.  A child reaching the age of majority or otherwise ceasing to be entitled to support pursuant to the support order shall constitute a material change in circumstances, but shall not automatically serve to modify the order;

17. a. When a child support order is entered or modified, the parents may agree or the district or administrative court may require a periodic exchange of information for an informal review and adjustment process.

b. When an existing child support order does not contain a provision which requires an informal review and adjustment process, either parent may request the other parent to provide the information necessary for the informal review and adjustment process.  Information shall be provided to the requesting parent within forty-five (45) days of the request.

c. Requested information may include verification of income, proof and cost of children's medical insurance, and current and projected child care costs.  If shared parenting time has been awarded by the court, documentation of past and prospective overnight visits shall be exchanged.

d. Exchange of requested information may occur once a year or less often, by regular mail.

e. (1) If the parents agree to a modification of a child support order, their agreement shall be in writing on a standard agreed order form provided for in Section 120 of this title and shall comply with the child support guidelines.

(2) The standard agreed order form, the standard child support guideline calculation form, and the standard financial affidavit form shall be submitted to the district or administrative court.

(3) The standard agreed order form and supporting documents submitted shall be reviewed by the district or administrative court for approval to confirm that the standard agreed order form and documents comply with the child support guidelines and that all necessary parties have been notified.  The approved standard agreed order form shall be filed with the court.

(4) If the standard agreed order form does not comply with the child support guidelines, or all necessary parties have not been notified, the matter shall be set for hearing.

f. (1) If the parents fail to cooperate in the exchange of information, either parent may move for a modification hearing or for mediation.  The district or administrative court on its own motion may refer the parents to a mediator.

(2) If referred to mediation, and modification is subsequently found to be appropriate, the modification shall be effective on the date the motion was filed.

(3) Costs for mediation, if any, shall be paid by the parent who failed to cooperate in the exchange of information.  Otherwise, the court may assess costs equally between the parents, or as determined by the court;

18.  Child support orders may include such provisions as the district or administrative court deems appropriate to assure that the child support payments to the custodial parent are used for the support of the child;

19.  The district or administrative court shall require and enforce a complete disclosure of assets by both parents on a financial affidavit form prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts;

20.  Child support orders issued for prior-born children of the payor may not be modified for the purpose of providing support for later-born children;

21.  The court, to the extent reasonably possible, shall make provision in an order for prospective adjustment of support to address any foreseen changes including, but not limited to, changes in medical insurance, child care expenses, medical expenses, and extraordinary costs;  

22.  The social security numbers of both parents and the children who are the subject of a paternity or child support order shall be included in the support order summary form provided for in Section 120 of this title; and

23.  A completed support order summary form shall be presented to the judge with all paternity and child support orders, and no such order shall be signed by the judge without presentation of the form.

Added by Laws 1988, c. 224, § 1, emerg. eff. June 20, 1988.  Renumbered from § 1277.7 of Title 12, by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1989, c. 362, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989; Laws 1992, c. 251, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Laws 1993, c. 307, § 2, emerg. eff. June 7, 1993; Laws 1994, c. 356, § 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1995, c. 1, § 13, emerg. eff. March 2, 1995; Laws 1997, c. 403, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; Laws 1998, c. 323, § 8, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Laws 1999, c. 422, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2000, c. 345, § 2, emerg. eff. June 6, 2000; Laws 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 9, § 1, emerg. eff. June 30, 2000; Laws 2002, c. 314, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2002; Laws 2004, c. 393, § 3, emerg. eff. June 3, 2004.

NOTE:  Laws 1994, c. 185, § 1 repealed by Laws 1995, c. 1, § 40, emerg. eff. March 2, 1995.  Laws 1997, c. 402, § 13 repealed by Laws 1998, c. 5, § 29, emerg. eff. March 4, 1998.

§43-118.1.  Review of child support orders - Compliance with child support guidelines and provision for medical coverage - Disclosure of financial status.

A.  In all cases in which child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided in Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the Department shall conduct a review upon the request of any party or upon its own decision.  All procedures for reviews will be conducted pursuant to rules promulgated by the Department.  Prior to such review, all parties shall receive notice of the review as provided by law.  If the Department determines that individual awards are not in accordance with such guidelines, the case shall be presented to the district or administrative court for action.  The district or administrative court shall review the award to determine its compliance with child support guidelines and order modification if appropriate.

B.  In any proceeding to establish or modify a support order, each party shall completely disclose his or her financial status.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 362, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1277.7A by Laws 1990, c. 171, § 3, operative July 1, 1990, and Laws 1990, c. 188, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1990.  Amended by Laws 1992, c. 153, § 1, emerg. eff. April 30, 1992; Laws 1994, c. 356, § 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1997, c. 402, § 14, eff. July 1, 1997.

§43-118.2.  Employer sponsored health care coverage.

A.  When a parent is required by a court or administrative order to provide health coverage which is available through an employer doing business in this state, the employer is required:

1.  To permit the parent to enroll under family coverage any child who is otherwise eligible for coverage without regard to any enrollment season restrictions;

2.  To enroll the child under family coverage and to deduct the employee's cost of the coverage from the employee's wages.  The enrollment shall be made upon application to the employer by the child's custodial person, by the state agency administering the Medicaid program or the state agency administering the child support program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act;

3.  Not to disenroll or eliminate coverage of a child unless the employer is provided satisfactory written evidence that:

a. the court order is no longer in effect,

b. the child is or will be enrolled in comparable coverage which will take effect no later than the effective date of disenrollment, or

c. the employer has eliminated family health coverage for all of its employees;

4.  Upon request, to provide complete information to the custodial person, the state agency administering the Medicaid program or the state agency administering the child support program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act regarding any insurance benefits to which the child is entitled, and any forms, publications, or documents necessary to apply for or to utilize the benefits;

5.  Permit the custodial person, the designated agency administering the State Medicaid Program, or the provider with approval, to submit claims for covered services without the approval of the noncustodial parent; and

6.  Make payments on claims submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of this subsection directly to the custodial person, the designated agency administering the State Medicaid Program, or the provider.

B.  If child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the Child Support Enforcement Division shall notify the parent's employer to enroll the child in health care coverage available under the employer's plan by sending the employer a National Medical Support Notice issued pursuant to Section 466(a)(19) of the Social Security Act, and Section 609(a)(5)(C) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  The employer shall comply with the National Medical Support Notice.  The employer may be fined up to Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month per child for each failure to comply with the requirements of the National Medical Support Notice.  Fines collected shall be remitted to the Child Support Revenue Enhancement Fund created pursuant to Section 225 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

C.  An employer may not be fined under this section where an employee fails to contribute his or her portion of a health insurance premium.

D.  The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 356, § 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1998, c. 323, § 9, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Laws 2001, c. 407, § 6, eff. July 1, 2001; Laws 2003, c. 19, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2004, c. 393, § 4, emerg. eff. June 3, 2004.

§43-118.3.  Request for wage and tax information.

On or after April 15th of each year, the obligor or obligee may make a written request to the other party for the other party's previous tax year W-2 forms, 1099 form, or other wage and tax information.  This request shall be served upon the other party in the same manner prescribed for the service of summons in a civil action, and the original request shall be filed in the court file.  The party receiving such a written request shall provide the requesting party a copy of the requested information by certified mail within ten (10) days of receiving the written request.  If a motion to modify child support is subsequently filed by the requesting party, and it is shown to the court that the non-moving party failed to comply with this section, the court may award the moving party his or her attorneys fees and costs incurred as a result of the failure to provide requested information.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 403, § 12, eff. Nov. 1, 1997.

§43-118.4.  Assignment or transfer of child support benefits - Attorney fees.

A.  Child support or any claim thereto shall not be directly or indirectly assigned, except as provided in subsection B of this section and in subsection C of Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  Any assignment of child support to the Department of Human Services shall have first priority over any prior or subsequent assignment.

B.  Child support may be assigned to an attorney for the purpose of providing legal representation in child support proceedings.  The assignment shall be consistent with the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct and shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the net amount of the child support collected and remitted to the obligee.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 302, § 4, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 407, § 1, emerg. eff. June 3, 2004.

§43119.  Computation of child support obligations.

A.  Child support shall be computed in accordance with the following Child Support Guideline Schedule:

SCHEDULE OF BASIC  

CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS

If Combined

Gross Monthly

Income is   Total Support Amount

equal to One Two Three Four Five Six Children

or above Child Children Children Children Children or More

50 50 50 50 50 50 50

  650 50 50 50 88 118 141

  700 50 50 101 122 154 176

  750 61 107 132 156 198 207

  800 94 141 165 190 239 242

  850 127 174 199 224 274 276

  900 159 207 232 258 308 311

  950 192 240 265 291 342 345

  1,000 206 272 298 325 375 379

  1,050 215 305 332 359 409 414

  1,100 224 326 365 392 443 448

  1,150 232 338 397 425 476 481

  1,200 241 351 415 458 497 515

  1,250 249 363 430 475 515 551

  1,300 257 375 443 490 531 568

  1,350 265 386 457 504 547 585

  1,400 273 397 470 519 562 602

  1,450 280 408 483 533 578 618

  1,500 288 419 496 548 594 635

  1,550 296 430 509 562 609 652

  1,600 304 442 522 576 625 669

  1,650 312 453 535 591 640 685

  1,700 319 464 548 605 656 702

  1,750 327 475 561 620 672 719

  1,800 335 486 574 634 687 735

  1,850 343 497 587 648 703 752

  1,900 351 509 600 663 718 769

  1,950 358 520 613 677 734 785

  2,000 366 531 626 691 750 802

  2,050 374 542 639 706 765 819

  2,100 382 554 652 720 781 835

  2,150 390 565 665 735 796 852

  2,200 398 576 678 749 812 869

  2,250 406 587 691 763 828 886

  2,300 414 599 704 778 843 902

  2,350 422 610 717 792 859 919

  2,400 430 621 730 807 874 936

  2,450 437 632 743 821 890 952

  2,500 445 643 755 835 905 968

  2,550 451 653 768 848 919 984

  2,600 458 663 780 862 934 1,000

  2,650 465 673 792 875 949 1,015

  2,700 472 683 804 888 963 1,030

  2,750 477 691 814 900 975 1,043

  2,800 483 700 824 911 987 1,056

  2,850 489 708 834 922 999 1,069

  2,900 494 716 844 933 1,011 1,082

  2,950 500 725 854 944 1,023 1,095

  3,000 505 733 864 955 1,035 1,107

  3,050 511 741 874 966 1,047 1,120

  3,100 517 749 884 977 1,059 1,133

  3,150 521 756 892 986 1,069 1,143

  3,200 525 761 897 992 1,075 1,150

  3,250 528 766 903 998 1,081 1,157

  3,300 532 771 908 1,003 1,088 1,164

  3,350 535 776 913 1,009 1,094 1,170

  3,400 539 780 919 1,015 1,100 1,177

  3,450 543 785 924 1,021 1,107 1,184

  3,500 546 790 929 1,027 1,113 1,191

  3,550 550 795 935 1,033 1,119 1,198

  3,600 553 800 940 1,039 1,126 1,205

  3,650 557 805 945 1,045 1,132 1,211

  3,700 560 809 951 1,050 1,139 1,218

  3,750 564 814 956 1,056 1,145 1,225

  3,800 567 819 961 1,062 1,151 1,232

  3,850 571 824 966 1,068 1,158 1,239

  3,900 574 828 972 1,074 1,164 1,245

  3,950 577 832 977 1,079 1,170 1,252

  4,000 580 837 982 1,085 1,176 1,258

  4,050 583 841 987 1,090 1,182 1,265

  4,100 586 845 992 1,096 1,188 1,271

  4,150 589 850 997 1,102 1,194 1,278

  4,200 592 854 1,002 1,107 1,200 1,284

  4,250 595 859 1,007 1,113 1,206 1,291

  4,300 598 863 1,012 1,119 1,213 1,297

  4,350 601 867 1,017 1,124 1,219 1,304

  4,400 604 872 1,023 1,130 1,225 1,311

  4,450 607 876 1,028 1,136 1,231 1,317

  4,500 610 880 1,033 1,141 1,237 1,324

  4,550 613 885 1,038 1,147 1,243 1,330

  4,600 617 890 1,044 1,154 1,250 1,338

  4,650 622 897 1,052 1,162 1,260 1,348

  4,700 626 903 1,059 1,171 1,269 1,358

  4,750 631 910 1,067 1,179 1,278 1,368

  4,800 636 916 1,075 1,188 1,287 1,377

  4,850 640 923 1,082 1,196 1,296 1,387

  4,900 645 930 1,090 1,205 1,306 1,397

  4,950 650 936 1,098 1,213 1,315 1,407

  5,000 654 943 1,105 1,222 1,324 1,417

  5,050 659 950 1,113 1,230 1,333 1,427

  5,100 664 956 1,121 1,239 1,343 1,437

  5,150 668 963 1,129 1,247 1,352 1,446

  5,200 673 969 1,136 1,256 1,361 1,456

  5,250 678 976 1,144 1,264 1,370 1,466

  5,300 682 982 1,151 1,272 1,379 1,475

  5,350 686 987 1,157 1,279 1,386 1,483

  5,400 689 992 1,163 1,285 1,393 1,490

  5,450 692 997 1,168 1,291 1,400 1,498

  5,500 696 1,002 1,174 1,297 1,406 1,505

  5,550 699 1,007 1,180 1,304 1,413 1,512

  5,600 703 1,012 1,185 1,310 1,420 1,519

  5,650 706 1,017 1,191 1,316 1,427 1,527

  5,700 709 1,022 1,197 1,322 1,433 1,534

  5,750 713 1,027 1,203 1,329 1,441 1,542

  5,800 717 1,032 1,209 1,336 1,448 1,550

  5,850 721 1,038 1,216 1,343 1,456 1,558

  5,900 724 1,043 1,222 1,350 1,464 1,566

  5,950 728 1,049 1,228 1,357 1,471 1,574

  6,000 732 1,054 1,234 1,364 1,479 1,582

  6,050 736 1,060 1,241 1,371 1,487 1,591

  6,100 741 1,067 1,249 1,380 1,496 1,601

  6,150 746 1,074 1,257 1,389 1,506 1,612

  6,200 751 1,081 1,266 1,398 1,516 1,622

  6,250 756 1,088 1,274 1,407 1,526 1,633

  6,300 761 1,095 1,282 1,417 1,536 1,643

  6,350 765 1,102 1,290 1,426 1,545 1,653

  6,400 770 1,109 1,298 1,435 1,555 1,664

  6,450 775 1,116 1,306 1,444 1,565 1,674

  6,500 780 1,123 1,315 1,453 1,575 1,685

  6,550 785 1,130 1,323 1,462 1,584 1,695

  6,600 790 1,137 1,331 1,471 1,594 1,706

  6,650 795 1,144 1,339 1,480 1,604 1,716

  6,700 800 1,151 1,347 1,489 1,614 1,727

  6,750 805 1,158 1,355 1,498 1,623 1,737

  6,800 810 1,165 1,364 1,507 1,633 1,748

  6,850 815 1,172 1,372 1,516 1,643 1,758

  6,900 819 1,179 1,380 1,525 1,653 1,768

  6,950 824 1,186 1,388 1,534 1,663 1,779

  7,000 829 1,193 1,396 1,543 1,672 1,789

  7,050 834 1,200 1,404 1,552 1,682 1,800

  7,100 838 1,206 1,411 1,560 1,691 1,809

  7,150 842 1,211 1,418 1,567 1,698 1,817

  7,200 846 1,217 1,424 1,574 1,706 1,825

  7,250 850 1,222 1,430 1,581 1,713 1,833

  7,300 853 1,228 1,437 1,588 1,721 1,842

  7,350 857 1,233 1,443 1,595 1,729 1,850

  7,400 861 1,238 1,450 1,602 1,736 1,858

  7,450 864 1,244 1,456 1,609 1,744 1,866

  7,500 868 1,249 1,462 1,616 1,751 1,874

  7,550 872 1,254 1,469 1,623 1,759 1,882

  7,600 875 1,260 1,475 1,630 1,767 1,890

  7,650 879 1,265 1,481 1,637 1,774 1,899

  7,700 883 1,270 1,488 1,644 1,782 1,907

  7,750 887 1,276 1,494 1,651 1,790 1,915

  7,800 890 1,281 1,500 1,658 1,797 1,923

  7,850 894 1,287 1,507 1,665 1,805 1,931

  7,900 898 1,292 1,513 1,672 1,812 1,939

  7,950 901 1,297 1,519 1,679 1,820 1,947

  8,000 905 1,303 1,526 1,686 1,828 1,955

  8,050 909 1,308 1,532 1,693 1,835 1,964

  8,100 912 1,313 1,538 1,700 1,843 1,972

  8,150 916 1,319 1,545 1,707 1,850 1,980

  8,200 920 1,324 1,551 1,714 1,858 1,988

  8,250 924 1,330 1,557 1,721 1,866 1,996

  8,300 927 1,335 1,564 1,728 1,873 2,004

  8,350 931 1,340 1,570 1,735 1,881 2,012

  8,400 935 1,346 1,577 1,742 1,888 2,021

  8,450 938 1,351 1,583 1,749 1,896 2,029

  8,500 943 1,357 1,590 1,757 1,905 2,038

  8,550 949 1,363 1,597 1,765 1,913 2,047

  8,600 954 1,369 1,605 1,773 1,922 2,057

  8,650 959 1,375 1,612 1,781 1,931 2,066

  8,700 964 1,381 1,619 1,789 1,939 2,075

  8,750 969 1,387 1,626 1,797 1,948 2,084

  8,800 974 1,393 1,633 1,805 1,957 2,093

  8,850 979 1,399 1,641 1,813 1,965 2,103

  8,900 984 1,405 1,648 1,821 1,974 2,112

  8,950 989 1,411 1,655 1,829 1,982 2,121

  9,000 995 1,417 1,662 1,837 1,991 2,130

  9,050 1,000 1,423 1,669 1,845 2,000 2,140

  9,100 1,005 1,429 1,677 1,853 2,008 2,149

  9,150 1,010 1,435 1,684 1,861 2,017 2,158

  9,200 1,015 1,441 1,691 1,869 2,026 2,167

  9,250 1,020 1,447 1,698 1,877 2,034 2,177

  9,300 1,025 1,453 1,706 1,885 2,043 2,186

  9,350 1,030 1,459 1,713 1,893 2,052 2,195

  9,400 1,035 1,465 1,720 1,901 2,060 2,204

  9,450 1,040 1,471 1,727 1,909 2,069 2,214

  9,500 1,046 1,477 1,734 1,917 2,077 2,223

  9,550 1,051 1,483 1,742 1,924 2,086 2,232

  9,600 1,056 1,489 1,749 1,932 2,095 2,241

  9,650 1,061 1,495 1,756 1,940 2,103 2,251

  9,700 1,066 1,501 1,763 1,948 2,112 2,260

  9,750 1,071 1,507 1,770 1,956 2,121 2,269

  9,800 1,076 1,513 1,778 1,964 2,129 2,278

  9,850 1,081 1,519 1,785 1,972 2,138 2,288

  9,900 1,086 1,525 1,792 1,980 2,147 2,297

  9,950 1,091 1,531 1,799 1,988 2,155 2,306

10,000 1,097 1,537 1,807 1,996 2,164 2,315

10,050 1,102 1,543 1,814 2,004 2,173 2,325

10,100 1,107 1,549 1,821 2,012 2,181 2,334

10,150 1,112 1,555 1,828 2,020 2,190 2,343

10,200 1,117 1,561 1,835 2,028 2,198 2,352

10,250 1,122 1,567 1,843 2,036 2,207 2,362

10,300 1,127 1,574 1,850 2,044 2,216 2,371

10,350 1,132 1,580 1,857 2,052 2,224 2,380

10,400 1,137 1,586 1,864 2,060 2,233 2,389

10,450 1,142 1,592 1,871 2,068 2,242 2,399

10,500 1,148 1,598 1,879 2,076 2,250 2,408

10,550 1,153 1,604 1,886 2,084 2,259 2,417

10,600 1,158 1,610 1,893 2,092 2,268 2,426

10,650 1,163 1,616 1,900 2,100 2,276 2,436

10,700 1,168 1,622 1,907 2,108 2,285 2,445

10,750 1,173 1,628 1,915 2,116 2,293 2,454

10,800 1,178 1,634 1,922 2,124 2,302 2,463

10,850 1,183 1,640 1,929 2,132 2,311 2,473

10,900 1,188 1,646 1,936 2,140 2,319 2,482

10,950 1,193 1,652 1,944 2,148 2,328 2,491

11,000 1,199 1,658 1,951 2,156 2,337 2,500

11,050 1,204 1,664 1,958 2,164 2,345 2,509

11,100 1,209 1,670 1,965 2,172 2,354 2,519

11,150 1,214 1,676 1,972 2,180 2,363 2,528

11,200 1,219 1,682 1,980 2,188 2,371 2,537

11,250 1,221 1,686 1,984 2,193 2,377 2,543

11,300 1,223 1,689 1,898 2,197 2,382 2,549

11,350 1,225 1,693 1,993 2,202 2,387 2,554

11,400 1,227 1,697 1,997 2,207 2,392 2,560

11,450 1,229 1,700 2,001 2,212 2,397 2,565

11,500 1,231 1,704 2,006 2,216 2,403 2,571

11,550 1,233 1,708 2,010 2,221 2,408 2,576

11,600 1,235 1,711 2,014 2,226 2,413 2,582

11,650 1,237 1,715 2,019 2,231 2,418 2,587

11,700 1,239 1,719 2,023 2,235 2,423 2,593

11,750 1,241 1,723 2,027 2,240 2,428 2,598

11,800 1,243 1,726 2,031 2,245 2,433 2,604

11,850 1,245 1,730 2,036 2,249 2,438 2,609

11,900 1,247 1,734 2,040 2,254 2,444 2,615

11,950 1,249 1,737 2,044 2,259 2,449 2,620

12,000 1,251 1,741 2,049 2,264 2,454 2,626

12,050 1,253 1,745 2,053 2,268 2,459 2,631

12,100 1,255 1,748 2,057 2,273 2,464 2,637

12,150 1,257 1,752 2,061 2,278 2,469 2,642

12,200 1,259 1,756 2,066 2,283 2,474 2,648

12,250 1,261 1,759 2,070 2,287 2,479 2,653

12,300 1,263 1,763 2,074 2,292 2,485 2,659

12,350 1,265 1,767 2,079 2,297 2,490 2,664

12,400 1,267 1,770 2,083 2,302 2,495 2,669

12,450 1,270 1,774 2,087 2,306 2,500 2,675

12,500 1,272 1,778 2,091 2,311 2,505 2,680

12,550 1,274 1,781 2,096 2,316 2,510 2,686

12,600 1,276 1,785 2,100 2,320 2,515 2,691

12,650 1,278 1,789 2,104 2,325 2,520 2,697

12,700 1,280 1,792 2,109 2,330 2,526 2,702

12,750 1,282 1,796 2,113 2,335 2,531 2,708

12,800 1,284 1,800 2,117 2,339 2,536 2,713

12,850 1,286 1,803 2,121 2,344 2,541 2,719

12,900 1,288 1,807 2,126 2,349 2,546 2,724

12,950 1,290 1,811 2,130 2,354 2,551 2,730

13,000 1,292 1,814 2,134 2,358 2,556 2,735

13,050 1,294 1,818 2,138 2,363 2,562 2,741

13,100 1,296 1,822 2,143 2,368 2,567 2,746

13,150 1,298 1,825 2,147 2,372 2,572 2,752

13,200 1,300 1,829 2,151 2,377 2,577 2,757

13,250 1,302 1,833 2,156 2,382 2,582 2,763

13,300 1,304 1,836 2,160 2,387 2,587 2,768

13,350 1,306 1,840 2,164 2,391 2,592 2,774

13,400 1,308 1,844 2,168 2,396 2,597 2,779

13,450 1,310 1,847 2,173 2,401 2,603 2,785

13,500 1,312 1,851 2,177 2,406 2,608 2,790

13,550 1,314 1,855 2,181 2,410 2,613 2,796

13,600 1,316 1,858 2,186 2,415 2,618 2,801

13,650 1,318 1,862 2,190 2,420 2,623 2,807

13,700 1,320 1,866 2,194 2,425 2,628 2,812

13,750 1,322 1,869 2,198 2,429 2,633 2,818

13,800 1,324 1,873 2,203 2,434 2,638 2,823

13,850 1,326 1,877 2,207 2,439 2,644 2,829

13,900 1,328 1,880 2,211 2,443 2,649 2,834

13,950 1,330 1,884 2,216 2,448 2,654 2,840

14,000 1,332 1,888 2,220 2,453 2,659 2,845

14,050 1,334 1,891 2,224 2,458 2,664 2,851

14,100 1,336 1,895 2,228 2,462 2,669 2,856

14,150 1,338 1,899 2,233 2,467 2,674 2,862

14,200 1,340 1,902 2,237 2,472 2,679 2,867

14,250 1,342 1,906 2,240 2,477 2,685 2,873

14,300 1,344 1,910 2,246 2,481 2,690 2,878

14,350 1,346 1,913 2,250 2,486 2,695 2,884

14,400 1,348 1,917 2,254 2,491 2,700 2,889

14,450 1,350 1,921 2,258 2,496 2,705 2,894

14,500 1,352 1,924 2,263 2,500 2,710 2,900

14,550 1,354 1,928 2,267 2,505 2,715 2,905

14,600 1,356 1,932 2,271 2,510 2,721 2,911

14,650 1,358 1,935 2,276 2,514 2,726 2,916

14,700 1,360 1,939 2,280 2,519 2,731 2,922

14,750 1,362 1,943 2,284 2,524 2,736 2,927

14,800 1,364 1,946 2,288 2,529 2,741 2,933

14,850 1,366 1,950 2,293 2,533 2,746 2,938

14,900 1,368 1,954 2,297 2,538 2,751 2,944

14,950 1,370 1,957 2,301 2,543 2,756 2,949

15,000 1,372 1,961 2,305 2,548 2,762 2,955

B.  If combined gross monthly income exceeds Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), the child support shall be that amount computed for a monthly income of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) and an additional amount determined by the court.

C.  If there are more than six children, the child support shall be that amount computed for six children and an additional amount determined by the court.

Added by Laws 1988, c. 224, § 2, emerg. eff. June 20, 1988. Renumbered from § 1277.8 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1999, c. 422, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2000, c. 345, § 3, emerg. eff. June 6, 2000.

§43-119.1.  Legislative review of child support guidelines.

The child support guidelines shall be reviewed at least once every four (4) years by the Judiciary Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives to ensure that their application results in the determination of appropriate child support award amounts.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 362, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1277.8A by Laws 1990, c. 171, § 3, operative July 1, 1990.  Also renumbered from Title 12, § 1277.8A by Laws 1990, c. 188, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1990.

§43-120.  Child support forms.

A.  A child support computation form shall be signed by the judge and incorporated as a part of all orders which establish or modify a child support obligation.

B.  1.  When services are not being provided under the Department of Human Services State IV-D plan pursuant to Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, a support order summary form shall be prepared by the attorney of record or the pro se litigant and presented to the judge with all orders which establish paternity or establish, modify or enforce a child support obligation.  No paternity or child support order shall be signed by the judge without presentation of the support order summary form.  After the order is signed by the judge, the summary of support order form shall be submitted to the Central Case Registry provided for in Section 112A of this title.

2.  A standard agreed order form shall be used by all parents for any agreements submitted to the court for approval as a part of the informal review and adjustment process provided in Section 118 of this title.

3.  The forms specified by this subsection shall be prepared by the Department of Human Services and shall be published by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Added by Laws 1988, c. 224, § 3, emerg. eff. June 20, 1988.  Renumbered from § 1277.9 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1993, c. 307, § 3, emerg. eff. June 7, 1993; Laws 1998, c. 323, § 10, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Laws 1999, c. 422, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2000, c. 345, § 4, emerg. eff. June 6, 2000; Laws 2001, c. 407, § 7, eff. July 1, 2001; Laws 2002, c. 314, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.

§43-120.1.  Short title.

Sections 120.1 through 120.5 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the "Parenting Coordinator Act".

Added by Laws 2001, c. 407, § 8, eff. July 1, 2001.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 302, § 5, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43-120.2.  Definitions.

As used in the Parenting Coordinator Act:

1.  "Parenting coordinator" means an impartial third party qualified pursuant to subsection A of Section 120.6 of this title appointed by the court to assist parties in resolving issues and deciding disputed issues pursuant to the provisions of the Parenting Coordinator Act relating to parenting and other family issues in any action for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, or guardianship where a minor child is involved; and

2.  "High-conflict case" means any action for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, or guardianship where minor children are involved and the parties demonstrate a pattern of ongoing:

a. litigation,

b. anger and distrust,

c. verbal abuse,

d. physical aggression or threats of physical aggression,

e. difficulty in communicating about and cooperating in the care of their children, or

f. conditions that in the discretion of the court warrant the appointment of a parenting coordinator.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 407, § 9, eff. July 1, 2001.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 302, § 6, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43-120.3.  Appointment of parenting coordinator - Party agreement - Authority - Meetings - Parental rights - Removal.

A.  In any action for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, or guardianship where minor children are involved, the court may, upon its own motion, or by motion or agreement of the parties, appoint a parenting coordinator to assist the parties in resolving issues and decide disputed issues pursuant to the provisions of the Parenting Coordinator Act related to parenting or other family issues in the case except as provided in subsection B of this section, and subsection A of Section 120.5 of this title.

B.  The court shall not appoint a parenting coordinator if any party objects, unless:

1.  The court makes specific findings that the case is a high-conflict case; and

2.  The court makes specific findings that the appointment of a parenting coordinator is in the best interest of any minor child in the case.

C.  1.  The authority of a parenting coordinator shall be specified in the order appointing the parenting coordinator and limited to matters that will aid the parties in:

a. identifying disputed issues,

b. reducing misunderstandings,

c. clarifying priorities,

d. exploring possibilities for compromise,

e. developing methods of collaboration in parenting, and

f. complying with the court's order of custody, visitation, or guardianship.

2.  The appointment of a parenting coordinator shall not divest the court of its exclusive jurisdiction to determine fundamental issues of custody, visitation, and support, and the authority to exercise management and control of the case.

3.  The parenting coordinator shall not make any modification to any order, judgment or decree; however, the parenting coordinator may allow the parties to make minor temporary departures from a parenting plan if authorized by the court to do so.  The appointment order should specify those matters which the parenting coordinator is authorized to determine.  The order shall specify which determinations will be immediately effective and which will require an opportunity for court review prior to taking effect.

D.  The parties may limit the decision-making authority of the parenting coordinator to specific issues or areas if the parenting coordinator is being appointed pursuant to agreement of the parties.  

E.  Meetings between the parenting coordinator and the parties need not follow any specific procedures and the meetings may be informal.  All communication between the parties and the parenting coordinator shall not be confidential.

F.  Nothing in the Parenting Coordinator Act shall abrogate the custodial or noncustodial parent's rights or any court-ordered visitation given to grandparents or other persons except as specifically addressed in the order appointing the parenting coordinator.

G.  1.  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the court shall reserve the right to remove the parenting coordinator in its own discretion.

2.  The court may remove the parenting coordinator upon the request and agreement of both parties.  Upon the motion of either party and good cause shown, the court may remove the parenting coordinator.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 407, § 10, eff. July 1, 2001.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 302, § 7, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43-120.4.  Report of decision.

A.  A report of the decisions and recommendations made by the parenting coordinator shall be filed with the court within twenty (20) days, with copies of the report provided to the parties or their counsel.  There shall be no ex parte communication with the court.  

B.  Any decisions made by the parenting coordinator authorized by the court order and issued pursuant to the provisions of the Parenting Coordinator Act shall be binding on the parties until further order of the court.

C.  1.  Any party may file with the court and serve on the parenting coordinator and all other parties an objection to the parenting coordinator's report within ten (10) days after the parenting coordinator provides the report to the parties, or within another time as the court may direct.

2.  Responses to the objections shall be filed with the court and served on the parenting coordinator and all other parties within ten (10) days after the objection is served.

D.  The court shall review any objections to the report and any responses submitted to those objections to the report and shall thereafter enter appropriate orders.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 407, § 11, eff. July 1, 2001.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 302, § 8, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43-120.5.  Fees - Appointment.

A.  1.  No parenting coordinator shall be appointed unless the court finds that the parties have the means to pay the fees of the parenting coordinator.

2.  This state shall assume no financial responsibility for payment of fees to the parenting coordinator; except that, in cases of hardship, the court, if feasible, may appoint a parenting coordinator to serve on a volunteer basis.

B.  1.  The fees of the parenting coordinator shall be allocated between the parties with the relative percentages determined pursuant to the child support guidelines.

2.  The court may allocate the fees between the parties differently upon a finding of good cause by the court or good cause set forth in the parenting coordinator's report.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 407, § 12, eff. July 1, 2001.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 302, § 9, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43-120.6.  Qualifications.

A.  Each judicial district shall adopt local rules governing the qualifications of a parenting coordinator; provided, that at a minimum, a parenting coordinator shall be a licensed professional with experience in family and children's services.

B.  A parenting coordinator who is not an attorney shall not constitute the practice of law without a license.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 407, § 13, eff. July 1, 2001.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 302, § 10, emerg. eff. May 28, 2003.

§43121.  Disposition of property  Restoration of wife's maiden name  Alimony.

When a divorce is granted, the wife shall be restored to her maiden or former name if she so desires.  The court shall enter its decree confirming in each spouse the property owned by him or her before marriage and the undisposedof property acquired after marriage by him or her in his or her own right.  Either spouse may be allowed such alimony out of real and personal property of the other as the court shall think reasonable, having due regard to the value of such property at the time of the divorce.  Alimony may be allowed from real or personal property, or both, or in the form of money judgment, payable either in gross or in installments, as the court may deem just and equitable.  As to such property, whether real or personal, which has been acquired by the parties jointly during their marriage, whether the title thereto be in either or both of said parties, the court shall, subject to a valid antenuptial contract in writing, make such division between the parties as may appear just and reasonable, by a division of the property in kind, or by setting the same apart to one of the parties, and requiring the other thereof to be paid such sum as may be just and proper to effect a fair and just division thereof.  The court may set apart a portion of the separate estate of a spouse to the other spouse for the support of the children of the marriage where custody resides with that spouse.

R.L. 1910, § 4969; Laws 1975, c. 350, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1975; Laws 1976, c. 154, § 1; Laws 1985, c. 39, § 1, emerg. eff. April 19, 1985. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1278 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1992, c. 252, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1992.

§43122.  Effect of divorce.

A divorce granted at the instance of one party shall operate as a dissolution of the marriage contract as to both, and shall be a bar to any claim of either party in or to the property of the other, except in cases where actual fraud shall have been committed by or on behalf of the successful party.

R.L.1910, § 4970. Remembered from Title 12, § 1279 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43-123.  Remarriage and cohabitation - Appeal from judgment.

It shall be unlawful for either party to an action for divorce whose former husband or wife is living to marry in this state a person other than the divorced spouse within six (6) months from date of decree of divorce granted in this state, or to cohabit with such other person in this state during said period if the marriage took place in another state; and if an appeal be commenced from said decree, it shall be unlawful for either party to such cause to marry any other person and cohabit with such person in this state until the expiration of thirty (30) days from the date on which final judgment shall be rendered pursuant to such appeal.  Any person violating the provisions of this section by such marriage shall be deemed guilty of the felony of bigamy.  Any person violating the provisions of this section by such cohabitation shall be deemed guilty of the felony of adultery.

An appeal from a judgment granting or denying a divorce shall be made in the same manner as in any other civil case.

R.L. 1910, § 4971.  Amended by Laws 1925, c. 119, p. 166, § 1;  Laws 1957, p. 82, § 1; Laws 1969, c. 322, § 1; Laws 1970, c. 5, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1971.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1280 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 462, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE:  Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 462 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§43-124.  Bigamy a felony.

Every person convicted of bigamy as such offense is defined in Section 123 of this title shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for a term of not less than one (1) year nor more than three (3) years.

R.L. 1910, § 4972.  Renumbered from § 1281 of Title 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 463, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 336, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE:  Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 463 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§43125.  Validation of decrees annulling marriage or granting divorce.

A judgment or decree, heretofore rendered by a court having jurisdiction of the parties, annulling a marriage and/or granting a divorce, on the grounds that one of the parties had been previously married and divorced and said divorce decree had not become final, is hereby validated.

Laws 1937, p. 9, § 1. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1281a by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43126.  Remarriage within six months as ground for annulment.

A marriage wherein one of the parties had not been divorced for six (6) months shall hereafter in this state be ground for annullment of marriage by either party.

Laws 1937, p. 9, § 2. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1281b by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43127.  Time when judgments in divorce actions become final  Effect of appeal.

Every decree of divorce shall recite the day and date when the judgment was rendered.  If an appeal be taken from a judgment granting or denying a divorce, that part of the judgment does not become final and take effect until the appeal is determined.  If an appeal be taken from any part of a judgment in a divorce action except the granting of the divorce, the divorce shall be final and take effect from the date the decree of divorce is rendered, provided neither party thereto may marry another person until six (6) months after the date the decree of divorce is rendered; that part of the judgment appealed shall not become final and take effect until the appeal be determined.

R.L.1910, 4973; Laws 1969, c. 321, § 1, emerg. eff. May 7, 1969. Renumbered from Title 1, § 1282 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43128.  Avoidance of marriage of incompetents.

When either of the parties to a marriage shall be incapable, from want of age or understanding, of contracting such marriage, the same may be declared void by the district court, in an action brought by the incapable party or by the parent or guardian of such party; but the children of such marriage begotten before the same is annulled, shall be legitimate.  Cohabitation after such incapacity ceases, shall be a sufficient defense to any such action.

R.L.1910, § 4974. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1283 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43129.  Alimony without divorce.

The wife or husband may obtain alimony from the other without a divorce, in an action brought for that purpose in the district court, for any of the causes for which a divorce may be granted. Either may make the same defense to such action as he might to an action for divorce, and may, for sufficient cause, obtain a divorce from the other in such action.

R.L.1910, § 4975.³Renumbered from Title 12, § 1284 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43130.  Evidence.

Upon the trial of an action for a divorce, or for alimony the court may admit proof of the admissions of the parties to be received in evidence, carefully excluding such as shall appear to have been obtained by connivance, fraud, coercion or other improper means. Proof of cohabitation, and reputation of the marriage of the parties, may be received as evidence of the marriage.  But no divorce shall be granted without proof.

R.L.1910, § 4976.³Renumbered from Title 12, § 1285 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989  

§43131.  Residency in divorce cases.

A married person who meets the residence requirements prescribed by law for bringing a divorce action in this state may seek a divorce in this state, though the other spouse resides elsewhere.

§43132.  Parties may testify.

In any action for divorce hereafter tried, the parties thereto, or either of them, shall be competent to testify in like manner, respecting any fact necessary or proper to be proven, as parties to other civil actions are allowed to testify.

R.L.1910, § 4978.³Renumbered from Title 12, § 1287 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43133.  Setting aside of divorce decrees upon petition of parties.

When a decree of divorce has been issued by a district or superior court, said court is hereby authorized to dissolve said decree at any future time, in or out of the term wherein the decree was granted, provided that both parties to the divorce action file a petition, signed by both parties, asking that said decree be set aside and held for naught.  And further provided that both parties seeking to have the decree set aside shall make proof to the court that neither one has married a third party during the time since the issuance of the decree of divorce.

Laws 1959, P. 81, § 1.³Renumbered from Title 12, § 1288 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43134.  Alimony payments  Termination  Payments pertaining to support and division of property  Cohabitation by former spouse.

A.  In any divorce decree which provides for periodic alimony payments, the court shall plainly state, at the time of entering the original decree, the dollar amount of all or a portion of each payment which is designated as support and the dollar amount of all or a portion of the payment which is a payment pertaining to a division of property.  The court shall specify in the decree that the payments pertaining to a division of property shall continue until completed.  Payments pertaining to a division of property are irrevocable and not subject to subsequent modification by the court making the award.  An order for the payment of money pursuant to a divorce decree, whether designated as support or designated as pertaining to a division of property shall not be a lien against the real property of the person ordered to make such payments unless the court order specifically provides for a lien on real property.  An arrearage in payments of support reduced to a judgment may be a lien against the real property of the person ordered to make such payments.

B.  The court shall also provide in the divorce decree that upon the death or remarriage of the recipient, the payments for support, if not already accrued, shall terminate.  The court shall order the judgment for the payment of support to be terminated, and the lien released upon the presentation of proper proof of death of the recipient unless a proper claim is made for any amount of pastdue support payments by an executor, administrator, or heir within ninety (90) days from the date of death of the recipient.  Upon proper application the court shall order payment of support terminated and the lien discharged after remarriage of the recipient, unless the recipient can make a proper showing that some amount of support is still needed and that circumstances have not rendered payment of the same inequitable, provided the recipient commences an action for such determination, within ninety (90) days of the date of such remarriage.

C.  The voluntary cohabitation of a former spouse with a member of the opposite sex shall be a ground to modify provisions of a final judgment or order for alimony as support.  If voluntary cohabitation is alleged in a motion to modify the payment of support, the court shall have jurisdiction to reduce or terminate future support payments upon proof of substantial change of circumstances of either party to the divorce relating to need for support or ability to support.  As used in this subsection, the term cohabitation means the dwelling together continuously and habitually of a man and a woman who are in a private conjugal relationship not solemnized as a marriage according to law, or not necessarily meeting all the standards of a commonlaw marriage.  The petitioner shall make application for modification and shall follow notification procedures used in other divorce decree modification actions.  The court that entered the divorce decree shall have jurisdiction over the modification application.

D.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection C of this section, the provisions of any divorce decree pertaining to the payment of alimony as support may be modified upon proof of changed circumstances relating to the need for support or ability to support which are substantial and continuing so as to make the terms of the decree unreasonable to either party.  Modification by the court of any divorce decree pertaining to the payment of alimony as support, pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, may extend to the terms of the payments and to the total amount awarded; provided however, such modification shall only have prospective application.

E.  Pursuant to the federal Uniformed Services Former Spouse's Protection Act (PL 97252), the provisions of subsection D of this section shall have retrospective and prospective application with regards to modifications for the purpose of obtaining support or payments pertaining to a division of property on divorce decrees which become final after June 26, 1981.

F.  The provisions of subsections C and D of this section shall have retrospective and prospective application with regards to modifications of the provisions of a final judgment or order for alimony as support, or of a divorce decree pertaining to the payment of alimony as support, regardless of the date that the order, judgment, or decree was entered.

Laws 1965, c. 344, § 1; Laws 1967, c. 328, § 1; Laws 1968, c. 161, § 1, emerg. eff. April 11, 1968; Laws 1976, c. 61, § 1; Laws 1979, c. 278, § 1; Laws 1983, c. 86, § 1, operative Nov. 1, 1983; Laws 1985, c. 188, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1985; Laws 1987, c. 130, § 1, emerg. eff. June 3, 1987.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1289 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1991, c. 113, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Laws 1992, c. 252, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1992.

§43-135.  Lien for arrearage in child support payments.

A.  An arrearage in payment of child support reduced to an order of the court or administrative order of the Department of Human Services or any past due payment or installment of child support that is a judgment and lien by operation of law may be a lien against the real and personal property of the person ordered to make the support payments.

B.  Past due amounts of child support shall become a lien by operation of law upon the real and personal property of the person ordered to make the payments at the time they become past due.

C.  1.  A judgment or order providing for the payment of current support or an arrearage of child support shall be a lien upon real property owned by the person obligated to pay support or upon any real property which may be acquired by the person prior to the release of the lien.  Notice of the lien on real property shall be given by the filing of a statement of judgment pursuant to Section 706 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes with the county clerk of the county where the property is located.

2.  If child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the amount reflected in the official records of the Centralized Support Registry provided for in Section 413 of this title shall constitute the amount of the lien on the obligor's real property, regardless of the amount reflected in the statement of judgment.

3.  The judgment or order shall not become a lien for any sums prior to the date they severally become due and payable.  A child support judgment shall become dormant as a lien upon real property five (5) years from the date the statement of judgment is filed of record with the county clerk unless the judgment lien is extended in accordance with subsection C of Section 759 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

D.  A judgment providing for the payment of an arrearage of child support or pursuant to which a past due amount has accrued shall become a lien upon benefits payable as a lump sum received from a workers' compensation claim of the person ordered to pay the support upon the filing of an affidavit and a certified copy of the judgment or order with the Administrator of the Workers' Compensation Court, if a proceeding for compensation under the Workers' Compensation Act has been initiated by or on behalf of the obligor.  If a proceeding for compensation has not been initiated, an affidavit and a certified copy of the judgment or order shall be served by certified mail upon the entity responsible for paying workers' compensation benefits to the person ordered to pay support.

E.  The provisions of this section shall be available to an agency of another state responsible for implementing the child support enforcement program set forth in Title IV-D, of the Social Security Act seeking to enforce a judgment for child support.

F.  The provisions of this section shall not authorize a sale of any property to enforce a lien which is otherwise exempted by state law.

G.  A lien shall be released upon the full payment of the amount of the arrearage.

H.  The person entitled to support or the Department of Human Services on behalf of its clients and recipients is authorized to enforce the liens created pursuant to this section and to execute releases or partial releases of the liens.

Added by Laws 1985, c. 297, § 20, operative Oct. 1, 1985.  Amended by Laws 1986, c. 176, § 4, emerg. eff. May 15, 1986; Laws 1987, c. 230, § 15, eff. Oct. 1, 1987. Renumbered from Title 12, § 1289.1 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1994, c. 356, § 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1996, c. 233, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1996; Laws 1997, c. 402, § 15, eff. July 1, 1997; Laws 1998, c. 323, § 11, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Laws 2000, c. 384, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2000; Laws 2001, c. 407, § 14, eff. July 1, 2001.

§43136.  Mailing of alimony and support payments  Evidence of support payments  Income assignment fee.

A.  If a judicial order, judgment or decree directs that the payment of child support, alimony, temporary support or any similar type of payment be made through the office of the court clerk, then it shall be the duty of the court to transmit such payments to the payee by first class United States mail, if requested to do so by the payee.  Such payments shall be mailed to the payee at the address specified in writing by the payee.  In the event of a change in address of the payee it shall be the duty of the payee to furnish to the court clerk in writing the new address of the payee.

B.  A report of child support payments with a certificate of authenticity executed by the court clerk is admissible into evidence in court or in an administrative proceeding as selfauthenticated.

C.  A fee not to exceed Twentyfive Dollars ($25.00) shall be charged and collected for any post decree application to initiate an income assignment in addition to any other fees authorized by law.  The fee shall not be charged or collected for income assignments requested at the time of the filing of the original petition or entered at the time of a divorce decree.  The person entitled to support is entitled to collect said fees paid pursuant to this subsection from the person obligated to pay support through civil proceedings.

Added by Laws 1970, c. 60, § 1.  Amended by Laws 1985, c. 297, § 21, operative Oct. 1, 1985.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1290 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1995, c. 219, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.

§43-137.  Past due payments operate as judgments - Cessation of lien after period of years - Duration of arrearage payment.

A.  Any payment or installment of child support ordered pursuant to any order, judgment, or decree of the district court or administrative order of the Department of Human Services is, on and after the date it becomes past due, a judgment by operation of law.  Judgments for past due support shall:

1.  Have the full force and effect of any other judgment of this state, including the ability to be enforced by any method available under the laws of this state to enforce and collect money judgments; and

2.  Be entitled to full faith and credit as a judgment in this state and any other state.

B.  A child support judgment shall not become dormant for any purpose, except that it shall cease to be a lien upon real property five (5) years from the date it is filed of record with the county clerk in the county where the property is located, unless the judgment lien is extended in accordance with subsection C of Section 759 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

1.  Except as otherwise provided by court order, a judgment for past due child support shall be enforceable until paid in full.

2.  An order that provides for payment of child support, if willfully disobeyed, may be enforced by indirect civil contempt proceedings, notwithstanding that the support payment is a judgment on and after the date it becomes past due.  After the implementation of the Centralized Support Registry, any amounts determined to be past due by the Department of Human Services may subsequently be enforced by indirect civil contempt proceedings.

C.  An arrearage payment schedule set by a court or administrative order shall not exceed three (3) years, unless imposition of a payment schedule would be unjust, inequitable, unreasonable, or inappropriate under the circumstances, or not in the best interests of the child or children involved.  When making this determination, reasonable support obligations of either parent for other children in the custody of the parent may be considered.  If an arrearage payment schedule that exceeds three (3) years is set, specific findings of fact supporting the action shall be made.

Added by Laws 1987, c. 230, § 16, eff. Oct. 1, 1987.  Renumbered from Title 12, § 1291 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1993, c. 307, § 4, emerg. eff. June 7, 1993; Laws 1994, c. 356, § 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1994, c. 366, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1996, c. 233, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1996; Laws 1998, c. 323, § 12, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Laws 2000, c. 384, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2000.

§43-138.  Recording of costs in child support enforcement cases - Assessment against nonprevailing party.

Costs incurred in a child support enforcement case in which a party is represented by an office operated by or for the benefit of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services shall be recorded by the court clerk.  The reasonable costs may be assessed by the court against the nonprevailing party at the conclusion of the proceedings.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 221, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-139.  Legal right to child support.

The Legislature finds and declares that child support is a basic legal right of the state's parents and children, that mothers and fathers have a legal obligation to provide financial support for their children and that child support payments can have a substantial impact on child poverty and state welfare expenditures.  It is therefore the Legislature's intent to encourage payment of child support to decrease overall costs to the state's taxpayers while increasing the amount of financial support collected for the state's children by authorizing the district courts of this state and the Department of Human Services to order the revocation, suspension, nonissuance or nonrenewal of an occupational, professional, business or any recreational license or permit, or permit including, but not limited to, a hunting and fishing license or other authorization issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code, Section 1-101 et seq. of Title 29 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and certificates of title for vessels and motors and other licenses of registration issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Vessel and Motor Registration Act, Section 4001 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and the driving privilege of or to order probation for a parent who is in noncompliance with an order for support for at least ninety (90) days or failing, after receiving appropriate notice to comply with subpoenas or warrants relating to paternity or child support proceedings.

Added by Laws 1995, c. 354, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 402, § 16, eff. July 1, 1997.

§43-139.1.  Definitions - Revocation or suspension of various licenses as remedy for noncompliance with support order.

A.  As used in this section and Section 6-201.1 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes:

1.  "Licensing board" means any bureau, department, division, board, agency or commission of this state or of a municipality in this state that issues a license;

2.  "Noncompliance with an order for support" means that the obligor has failed to make child support payments required by a child support order in an amount equal to the child support payable for at least ninety (90) days or has failed to make full payments pursuant to a court-ordered payment plan for at least ninety (90) days or has failed to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage as required by an order for support for at least ninety (90) days or has failed, after receiving appropriate notice to comply with subpoenas or orders relating to paternity or child support proceedings or has failed to comply with an order to submit to genetic testing to determine paternity;

3.  "Order for support" means any judgment or order for the support of dependent children or an order to submit to genetic testing to determine paternity issued by any court of this state or other state or any judgment or order issued in accordance with an administrative procedure established by state law that affords substantial due process and is subject to judicial review;

4.  "Department" means the Department of Human Services;

5.  "License" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, approval or other similar document issued by a licensing board granting to an individual a right or privilege to engage in a profession, occupation, or business, or any recreational license or permit including, but not limited to, a hunting and fishing license or other authorization issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code, certificates of title for vessels and motors and other licenses or registrations issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Vessel and Motor Registration Act, or a driver license or other permit issued pursuant to Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

6.  "Obligor" means the person who is required to make payments or comply with other provisions of an order for support;

7.  "Person entitled" means:

a. a person to whom a support debt or support obligation is owed,

b. the Department of Human Services or a public agency of another state that has the right to receive current or accrued support payments or that is providing support enforcement services, or

c. a person designated in a support order or as otherwise specified by the court; and

8.  "Payment plan" includes, but is not limited to, a plan approved by the court that provides sufficient security to ensure compliance with a support order and/or that incorporates voluntary or involuntary income assignment or a similar plan for periodic payment on an arrearage and, if applicable, current and future support.

B.  1.  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the district courts of this state are hereby authorized to order the revocation, suspension, nonissuance or nonrenewal of a license or the placement of the obligor on probation who is in noncompliance with an order for support.

2.  If the obligor is a licensed attorney, the court may report the matter to the State Bar Association to revoke or suspend the professional license of the obligor or other appropriate action in accordance with the rules of professional conduct and disciplinary proceedings.

3.  Pursuant to Section 6-201.1 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the district or administrative courts of this state are hereby authorized to order the revocation or suspension of a driver license of an obligor who is in noncompliance with an order of support.

4.  The remedy under this section is in addition to any other enforcement remedy available to the court.

C.  1.  At any hearing involving the support of a child, if the district court finds evidence presented at the hearing that an obligor is in noncompliance with an order for support and the obligor is licensed by any licensing board, the court, in addition to any other enforcement action available, may suspend or revoke the license of the obligor who is in noncompliance with the order of support or place the obligor on probation.

2.  If the obligor enters into a court-ordered payment plan to repay past due support and provides proof to the court that the obligor is complying with all other provisions of the order for support, the court may place the obligor on probation and allow the obligor to practice or continue to practice the obligor's profession, occupation or business, or to operate a motor vehicle.  Probation shall be conditioned upon full compliance with the order.  If the court grants probation, the probationary period shall not exceed three (3) years, and the terms of probation shall provide for automatic suspension or revocation of the license if the obligor does not fully comply with the order.  If the court orders probation, the appropriate licensing board shall not be notified and no action is required of that board.

D.  When all support due is paid in full and the obligor has complied with all other provisions of the order for support, the obligor may file a motion with the court for reinstatement of the obligor's licenses and the motion shall be set for hearing.  If the court finds the obligor has paid all support due in full and has complied with all other provisions of the order for support, the court shall reinstate the obligor's licenses.

E.  1.  An obligor may file a motion with the court for reinstatement of the obligor's licenses prior to payment in full of all support due and the motion shall be set for hearing.

2.  The court may reinstate the obligor's licenses if the obligor has:

a. paid the current child support and the monthly arrearage payments each month for the current month and two months immediately preceding, or paid an amount equivalent to three months of child support and arrearage payments which satisfies the current child support and monthly arrearage payments for the current month and two months immediately preceding,

b. disclosed all information regarding health insurance availability and obtained and maintained health insurance coverage required by an order for support,

c. complied with all subpoenas and orders relating to paternity or child support proceedings,

d. complied with all orders to submit to genetic testing to determine paternity, and

e. disclosed all employment and address information.

3.  If the court terminates the order of suspension, revocation, nonissuance or nonrenewal, it shall place the obligor on probation, conditioned upon the obligor's complying with any payment plan and the provisions of the order for support.

4.  If the obligor fails to comply with the terms of probation, the court may refuse to reinstate the obligor's licenses and driving privileges unless the obligor makes additional payments in an amount determined by the court to be sufficient to ensure future compliance, and the obligor complies with the other terms set by the court.

F.  The obligor shall serve on the custodian or the state a copy of the motion for reinstatement of the obligor's licenses and notice of hearing pursuant to Section 2005 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or if there is an address of record, by regular mail to the address of record on file with the central case registry pursuant to Section 112A of this title.  When child support services are being provided pursuant to Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the obligor shall serve a copy of the motion for reinstatement of the obligor's licenses on the Department of Human Services.

G.  If the court orders termination of the order of suspension or revocation, the obligor shall send a copy of the order reinstating the obligor's licenses to the licensing board and the custodian and to the Department of Human Services when child support services are being provided pursuant to Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

H.  Entry of this order does not limit the ability of the court to issue a new order requiring the licensing board to revoke or suspend the license of the same obligor in the event of another delinquency or failure to comply.

I.  Upon receipt of a court order to suspend or revoke the license of an obligor, the licensing board shall comply with the order by:

1.  Determining if the licensing board has issued a license to the individual whose name appears on the order for support;

2.  Notifying the obligor of the suspension or revocation;

3.  Demanding surrender of the license, if required;

4.  Entering the suspension or revocation of the license on the appropriate records; and

5.  Reporting the suspension or revocation of the license as appropriate.

J.  Upon receipt of a court order to not issue or not renew the license of an obligor, the licensing board shall implement by:

1.  Determining if the licensing board has received an application for issuance or renewal of a license from the individual whose name appears on the order of support;

2.  Notifying the obligor of the nonissuance or nonrenewal; and

3.  Entering the nonissuance or nonrenewal of the license as appropriate.

K.  An order, issued by the court, directing the licensing board to suspend, revoke, not issue or not renew the license of the obligor shall be processed and implemented by the licensing board without any additional review or hearing and shall continue until the court or appellate court advises the licensing board by order that the suspension, revocation, nonissuance or nonrenewal is terminated.

L.  The licensing board has no jurisdiction to modify, remand, reverse, vacate, or stay the order of the court for the suspension, revocation, nonissuance or nonrenewal of a license.

M.  In the event of suspension, revocation, nonissuance or nonrenewal of a license, any funds paid by the obligor to the licensing board for costs related to issuance, renewal, or maintenance of a license shall not be refunded to the obligor.

N.  A licensing board may charge the obligor a fee to cover the administrative costs incurred by the licensing board to administer the provisions of this section.  Fees collected pursuant to this section by a licensing board which has an agency revolving fund shall be deposited in the agency revolving fund for the use by the licensing board to pay the costs of administering this section.  Otherwise, the administrative costs shall be deposited in the General Revenue Fund of the state.

O.  Each licensing board shall promulgate rules necessary for the implementation and administration of this section.

P.  The licensing board is exempt from liability to the obligor for activities conducted in compliance with Section 139 et seq. of this title.

Q.  The provisions of this section may be used to revoke or suspend the licenses and driving privileges of the custodian of a child who fails to comply with an order to submit to genetic testing to determine paternity.

R.  A final order entered pursuant to this section may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma pursuant to Section 990A of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1995, c. 354, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.  Amended by Laws 1996, c. 97, § 18, eff. Nov. 1, 1996; Laws 1997, c. 402, § 17, eff. July 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 124, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43201.  Mutual obligations.

Husband and wife contract towards each other obligations of mutual respect, fidelity and support.

R.L.1910, § 3349. Renumbered from Title 32, § 1 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43202.  Duty to support.

The husband must support himself and his wife out of the community property or out of his separate property or by his labor. The wife must support the husband when he has not deserted her out of the community property or out of her separate property when he has no community or separate property and he is unable from infirmity to support himself.

R.L.1910, § 3351; Laws 1945, p. 121, § 1. Renumbered from Title 32, § 3 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43203.  Separate property.

Except as mentioned in the preceding section neither husband nor wife has any interest in the separate property of the other, but neither can be excluded from the other's dwelling.

R.L.1910, § 3352. Renumbered from Title 32, § 4 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43204.  Contracts.

Either husband or wife may enter into any engagement or transaction with the other, or with any other person, respecting property, which either might, if unmarried, subject, in transactions between themselves, to the general rules which control the actions of persons occupying confidential relations with each other as defined by the title on trusts.

R.L.1910, § 3353. Renumbered from Title 32, § 5 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43205.  Relations cannot be altered by contract  Separation agreements.

A husband and wife cannot, by any contract with each other, alter their legal relations, except as to property, and except that they may agree in writing to an immediate separation, and may make provision for the support of either of them and of their children during such separation.

R.L.1910, § 3354. Renumbered from Title 32, § 6 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43206.  Mutual consent as consideration for separation agreement.

The mutual consent of the parties is a sufficient consideration for such an agreement as is mentioned in the last section.

R.L.1910, § 3555.  

§43207.  Manner of holding property  Inventory of separate property.

A husband and wife may hold property as joint tenants, tenants in common, or as community property.

A full and complete inventory of the separate personal property of either spouse may be made out and signed by such spouse, acknowledged or proved in the manner provided by law for the acknowledgment or proof of a grant of real property; and recorded in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the parties reside.  The filing of the inventory in the county clerk's office is notice and prima facie evidence of the title of the party filing such inventory.

R.L.1910, § 3356; Laws 1945, p. 121, § 2. Renumbered from Title 32, § 8 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43-208.  Liability for acts and debts of spouse - Curtesy and dower abolished.

A.  Neither husband nor wife, as such, is answerable for the acts of the other.

B.  The separate property of the husband is liable for the debts of the husband contracted before or after marriage, but is not liable for the debts of the wife contracted before the marriage.

C.  The separate property of the wife is liable for the debts of the wife contracted before or after marriage, but is not liable for the debts of the husband contracted before the marriage.

D.  No estate is allowed the husband as tenant by curtesy, upon the death of his wife, nor is any estate in dower allotted to the wife upon the death of her husband.

R.L.1910, § 3357.  Amended by Laws 1945, p. 122, § 3.  Renumbered from Title 32, § 9 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  Amended by Laws 2000, c. 380, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2000.

§43-209.  Repealed by Laws 2000, c. 380, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2000.

§43-209.1.  Joint and several liability of husband and wife.

Husband and wife shall be jointly and severally liable for debts incurred on account of necessaries furnished to either spouse unless otherwise provided by law or court order.

Added by Laws 2000, c. 380, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2000.

§43210.  Liability on abandonment or separation by agreement.

A husband abandoned by his wife is not liable for her support until she offers to return, unless she was justified by his misconduct, in abandoning him; nor is he liable for her support when she is living separate from him, by agreement, unless such support is stipulated in the agreement.

R.L.1910, § 3359. Renumbered from Title 32, § 11 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43211.  Management, sale or encumbrance of property of one by the other, when.

In case the husband or wife abandons the other and removes from the state, and is absent therefrom for one (1) year, without providing for the maintenance and support of his or her family, or is sentenced to imprisonment either in the county jail or State Penitentiary for the period of one (1) year or more, the district court of the county or judicial subdivision where the husband or wife so abandoned or not imprisoned resides, may, on application by affidavit of such husband or wife, setting forth fully the facts, supported by such other testimony as the court may deem necessary, authorize him or her to manage, control, sell or encumber the property of the said husband or wife for the support and maintenance of the family, and for the purpose of paying debts contracted prior to such abandonment or imprisonment.  Notice of such proceedings shall be given the opposite party, and shall be served as summons are served in ordinary actions.

R.L.1910, § 3360. Renumbered from Title 32, § 12 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43212.  Contracts binding on both  Liability for acts  Suits and proceedings.

All contracts, sales or encumbrances made by either husband or wife by virtue of the power contemplated and granted by order of the court as provided in the preceding section, shall be binding on both, and during such absence or imprisonment the person acting under such power may sue and be sued thereon, and for all acts done the property of both shall be liable, and execution may be levied or attachment issued thereon according to statute.  No suit or proceedings shall abate or be in any wise affected by the return or release of the person confined, but he or she may be permitted to prosecute or defend jointly with the other.

R.L.1910, § 3361. Renumbered from Title 32, § 13 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43213.  Order set aside, when.

The husband or wife affected by the proceedings contemplated in the two preceding sections, may have the order or decree of the court set aside or annulled by affidavit of such party, setting forth fully the facts and supported by such other testimony as the court shall deem proper.  Notice of such proceedings to set aside and annul such order must be given the person in whose favor the same was granted, and shall be served as summons are served in ordinary actions.  The setting aside of such decree or order shall in no wise affect any act done thereunder.

R.L.1910, § 3362. Renumbered from Title 32, § 14 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43214.  Rights of married women.

Woman shall retain the same legal existence and legal personality after marriage as before marriage, and shall receive the same protection of all her rights as a woman, which her husband does as a man; and for any injury sustained to her reputation, person, property, character or any natural right, her own medical expenses, and by reason of loss of consortium, she shall have the same right to appeal in her own name alone to the courts of law or equity for redress and protection that her husband has to appeal in his own name alone.

R.L.1910, § 3363; Laws 1973, c. 73, § 1, emerg. eff. April 27, 1973. Renumbered from Title 32, § 15 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43215.  Agreement respecting rights acquired under community property law  Recording  Limitation barring action to recover interest.

Within one (1) year from the effective date of this act, any husband and wife whose property or income was subject to the terms of the act repealed by the foregoing section, may enter into a recordable agreement, specifying the rights acquired by either or each of them under the terms of said act, altering those rights if they so desire, and describing the property affected, and may record the agreement in the office of the county clerk of their residence and in the office of the county clerk of each county where any of the affected property may be located.  Should any husband and wife be unable to reach such an agreement, either may file an action in the district court of the county of the residence of either of them for a determination of the rights as acquired under the repealed act, and a certified copy of the judgment may thereupon be recorded in each county in which any of the affected property is located. The failure to make and record such an agreement, or to file such an action within one (1) year and record the judgment in due course thereafter, and in any event within three (3) years from the effective date of this act, shall bar the husband or wife whose title or interest does not appear of record, or who is not separately in possession of the property, from any claim or interest in the property as against third persons acquiring any interest therein.  After three (3) years from the effective date of this act, no action or proceeding of any character shall be brought to establish or recover an interest in property based upon the terms of the act repealed, unless the interest has previously been established of record, as hereinabove provided.

Laws 1949, p. 229, § 2. Renumbered from Title 32, § 83 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 2. eff. Nov. 1, 1989.  

§43-301.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-302.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-303.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-304.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-305.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-306.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-307.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-308.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-309.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-310.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-311.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-312.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-313.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-314.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-315.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-316.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-317.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-318.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-319.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-320.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-321.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-322.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-323.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-324.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-325.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-326.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-327.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-328.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-329.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-330.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-331.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-332.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-333.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-334.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-335.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-336.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-337.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-338.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-339.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-340.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-341.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-342.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-343.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-344.  Repealed by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-401.  Repealed by Laws 1993, c. 155, § 4, eff. July 1, 1993.

§43-402.  Repealed by Laws 1993, c. 155, § 4, eff. July 1, 1993.

§43-410.  Short title.

This act shall be known as the "Oklahoma Centralized Support Registry Act".

Added by Laws 1992, c. 279, § 1, emerg. eff. May 25, 1992.

§43-411.  Repealed by Laws 1995, c. 246, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.

§43-412.  Repealed by Laws 1995, c. 246, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.

§43-413.  Payment of support through registry.

A.  The Department of Human Services shall maintain a Centralized Support Registry to receive, allocate and distribute support payments.  All child support, spousal support, and related support payments shall be paid through the Registry as follows:

1.  In all cases in which child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

2.  In all other cases in which support is being paid by income withholding.

B.  When child support enforcement services are being provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, all monies owed for child support shall continue to be paid through the Registry until child support is no longer owed.

C.  Any party desiring child support, spousal support, or related support payments to be paid through the Registry may request the court to order the payments to be made through the Registry.  Upon such request the court shall order payments to be made through the Registry.

D.  The Registry shall maintain the following information on all cases in which support is paid through the Registry.  This information shall include, but not be limited to:

1.  Names, social security numbers and dates of birth for both parents and the children for whom support is ordered;

2.  The amount of periodic support owed under the order;

3.  Case identification numbers; and

4.  Payment address.

E.  In all cases, except those being enforced under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, employers shall provide the Registry with a copy of the notice of income assignment specified in Section 1171.3 of Title 12 and Section 240.2 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  Employers, parties, and obligees to an order, upon request, shall provide additional information necessary for the Registry to identify and properly allocate and distribute payments.

F.  An obligee, pursuant to a judgment, decree, or order in which payment of support is required by this section to be paid through the Registry or whose support is being paid through the Registry, shall provide information as directed by the Department of Human Services necessary to properly allocate and distribute the payments.

G.  All payments made through the Registry shall be allocated and distributed in accordance with Department of Human Services' policy and federal regulations.

H.  The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 279, § 4, emerg. eff. May 25, 1992.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 402, § 18, eff. July 1, 1997; Laws 1998, c. 323, § 13, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Laws 2000, c. 384, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2000; Laws 2001, c. 407, § 15, eff. July 1, 2001; Laws 2002, c. 314, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.

§43-420.  Short title.

This act shall be known as the "Oklahoma Child Visitation Registry Act".

Added by Laws 1996, c. 131, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

§43-421.  Authorization of public or private agencies to provide registry - Maximum fee.

The associate district judge in each county within this state may authorize one or more public or private agencies to provide a child visitation registry program.  Eligible governmental agencies shall include, but not be limited to, county sheriffs' offices, State Department of Health child guidance centers, social service agencies, and police departments.  A participating agency may charge a fee not to exceed Two Dollars ($2.00) per parent, per visit.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 131, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

§43-422.  Participant logs.

A.  The child visitation registry program shall include a log for each case participating in the program which must be signed by each parent at the time of arrival and departure.  The agency must have an employee assigned to verify identification of each parent or guardian, initial each signature, and record the time of each person's arrival and departure.

B.  Copies of a participant's log shall be available for purchase by the participant at the agency's reproduction cost.  Copies of the records may be certified by stamp.  Each agency shall maintain participants' records for a minimum of three (3) years.

C.  Entries in child visitation registry records shall be rebuttable presumptive proof of compliance or noncompliance with court-ordered visitation.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 131, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

§43-423.  Court order for participation in registry program.

The court may order parents to participate in the child visitation registry program either before or after divorce or custody proceedings have become final.  The court may order parents to participate in the program on its own motion or upon the motion of either parent.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 131, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

§43-424.  Forms for petition and court order - Modification of visitation rights.

A.  The Office of the Court Administrator shall develop:

1.  A form for use in petitioning the court for inclusion in the child visitation registry which shall be distributed to all court clerk offices; and

2.  A form for the court's order requiring participation in the registry.  This form shall provide for the following:

a. a requirement that a copy of the order be given to each parent, the child visitation registry agency, and court file,

b. a determination of who is authorized to pick up or deliver a child to the child visitation registry agency.  The list may include, but is not limited to, parents, stepparents, and grandparents,

c. a determination of when the participants shall meet to pick up or deliver a child to the child visitation registry agency.  This decision shall include specific days of the week and time periods,

d. the date when participation in the program shall begin or end, and

e. a requirement that the participant delivering the child to the registry must wait at the agency and sign out after the participant picking up the child has departed from the agency.

B.  If a parent, or other person with custody, is habitually late to pick up or deliver the child or children, the court may, upon proper notice, consider reducing or canceling visitation temporarily or permanently.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 131, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

§43-425.  Court to hear applications for participation in registry within certain time.

The court shall hear applications for inclusion in the child visitation registry within thirty (30) days after service upon the nonapplicant.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 131, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

§43-501.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-502.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-503.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-504.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-505.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-506.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-507.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-508.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-509.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-510.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-511.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-512.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-513.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-514.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-515.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-516.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-517.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-518.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-519.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-520.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-521.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-522.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-523.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-524.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-525.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-526.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-527.  Repealed by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-101.  Short title.

SHORT TITLE

This act may be cited as the "Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act".

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-102.  Definitions.

DEFINITIONS

In this act:

1.  "Abandoned" means left without provision for reasonable and necessary care or supervision;

2.  "Child" means an individual who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age;

3.  "Child custody determination" means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child.  The term includes a permanent, temporary, initial, and modification order.  The term does not include an order relating to child support or other monetary obligation of an individual;

4.  "Child custody proceeding" means a proceeding in which legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child is an issue.  The term includes a proceeding for divorce, separation, neglect, abuse, dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination of parental rights, and protection from domestic violence, in which the issue may appear.  The term does not include a proceeding involving juvenile delinquency, contractual emancipation, or enforcement under Article 3 of this act;

5.  "Commencement" means the filing of the first pleading in a proceeding;

6.  "Court" means an entity authorized under the law of a state to establish, enforce, or modify a child custody determination;

7.  "Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as a parent for at least six (6) consecutive months immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding.  In the case of a child less than six (6) months of age, the term means the state in which the child lived from birth with the parent or person acting as a parent.  A period of temporary absence of the parent or person acting as a parent is part of the period;

8.  "Initial determination" means the first child custody determination concerning a particular child;

9.  "Issuing court" means the court that makes a child custody determination for which enforcement is sought under this act;

10.  "Issuing state" means the state in which a child custody determination is made;

11.  "Modification" means a child custody determination that changes, replaces, supersedes, or is otherwise made after a previous determination concerning the same child, whether or not it is made by the court that made the previous determination;

12.  "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, including any governmental subdivision, agency, instrumentality, or public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity;

13.  "Person acting as a parent" means a person, other than a parent, who:

a. has physical custody of the child or has had physical custody for a period of six (6) consecutive months, including any temporary absence, within one (1) year immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding, and

b. has been awarded legal custody by a court or claims a right to legal custody under the law of this state;

14.  "Physical custody" means the physical care and supervision of a child;

15.  "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;

16.  "Tribe" means an Indian tribe or band, or Alaskan Native village, which is recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state; and

17.  "Warrant" means an order issued by a court authorizing law enforcement officers to take physical custody of a child.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-103.  Proceedings governed by other law.

PROCEEDINGS GOVERNED BY OTHER LAW

This act does not apply to an adoption proceeding or a proceeding pertaining to the authorization of emergency medical care for a child.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-104.  Application to Indian tribes.

APPLICATION TO INDIAN TRIBES.

A.  A child custody proceeding that pertains to an Indian child as defined in the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Act, is not subject to this act to the extent that it is governed by the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Act.

B.  A court of this state shall treat a tribe as if it were a state of the United States for purposes of applying Articles 1 and 2 of this act.

C.  A child custody determination made by a tribe under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this act must be recognized and enforced under Article 3 of this act.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-105.  International application of act.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION OF ACT

A.  A court of this state shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state of the United States for purposes of applying Articles 1 and 2 of this act.

B.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection C of this section, a child custody determination made in a foreign country under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this act must be recognized and enforced under Article 3 of this act.

C.  A court of this state need not apply this act if the child custody law of a foreign country violates fundamental principles of human rights.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-106.  Effect of child custody determination.

EFFECT OF CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATION

A child custody determination made by a court of this state that had jurisdiction under this act binds all persons who have been served in accordance with the laws of this state or notified in accordance with Section 8 of this act or who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, and who have been given an opportunity to be heard.  As to those persons the determination is conclusive as to all decided issues of law and fact except to the extent the determination is modified.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-107.  Priority.

PRIORITY

If a question of existence or exercise of jurisdiction under this act is raised in a child custody proceeding, the question, upon request of a party, must be given priority on the court's calendar and handled expeditiously.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-108.  Notice to persons outside state.

NOTICE TO PERSONS OUTSIDE STATE

A.  Notice required for the exercise of jurisdiction when a person is outside this state may be given in the manner provided in Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes or by the law of the state in which the service is made.  Notice must be given in a manner reasonably calculated to give actual notice but may be by publication if other means are not effective.

B.  Proof of service may be made in the manner provided in Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes or by the law of the state in which the service is made.

C.  Notice is not required for the exercise of jurisdiction with respect to a person who submits to the jurisdiction of the court.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-109.  Appearance and limited immunity.

APPEARANCE AND LIMITED IMMUNITY

A.  A party to a child custody proceeding, including a modification proceeding, or a petitioner or respondent in a proceeding to enforce or register a child custody determination is not subject to personal jurisdiction in this state for another proceeding or purpose solely by reason of having participated, or having been physically present for the purpose of participating, in the proceeding.

B.  A person who is subject to personal jurisdiction in this state on a basis other than physical presence is not immune from service of process in this state.  A party present in this state who is subject to the jurisdiction of another state is not immune from service of process allowable under the laws of that state.

C.  The immunity granted by subsection A of this section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to the participation in a proceeding under this act committed by an individual while present in this state.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-110.  Communication between courts.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN COURTS

A.  A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state concerning a proceeding arising under this act.

B.  The court may allow the parties to participate in the communication.  If the parties are not able to participate in the communication, they must be given the opportunity to present facts and legal arguments before a decision on jurisdiction is made.

C.  Communication between courts on schedules, calendars, court records, and similar matters may occur without informing the parties.  A record need not be made of the communication.

D.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection C of this section, a record must be made of a communication under this section.  The parties must be informed promptly of the communication and granted access to the record.

E.  For the purposes of this section, "record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-111.  Taking testimony in another state.

TAKING TESTIMONY IN ANOTHER STATE

A.  In addition to other procedures available to a party, a party to a child custody proceeding may offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another state, including testimony of the parties and the child, by deposition or other means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state.  The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a person be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony is to be taken.

B.  A court of this state may permit an individual residing in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual, or other electronic means before a designated court or at another location in that state.  A court of this state shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.

C.  Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this state by technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-112.  Cooperation between courts; preservation of records.

COOPERATION BETWEEN COURTS; PRESERVATION OF RECORDS

A.  A court of this state may request the appropriate court of another state to:

1.  Hold an evidentiary hearing;

2.  Order a person to produce or give evidence pursuant to procedures of that state;

3.  Order that an evaluation be made with respect to the custody of a child involved in a pending proceeding;

4.  Forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the transcript of the record of the hearing, the evidence otherwise presented, and any evaluation prepared in compliance with the request; and

5.  Order a party to a child custody proceeding or any person having physical custody of the child to appear in the proceeding with or without the child.

B.  Upon request of a court of another state, a court of this state may hold a hearing or enter an order described in subsection A of this section.

C.  Travel and other necessary and reasonable expenses incurred under subsections A and B of this section may be assessed against the parties according to the laws of this state.

D.  A court of this state shall preserve the pleadings, orders, decrees, records of hearings, evaluations, and other pertinent records with respect to a child custody proceeding until the child attains eighteen (18) years of age.  Upon appropriate request by a court or law enforcement official of another state, the court shall forward a certified copy of those records.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 12, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-201.  Initial child custody jurisdiction.

INITIAL CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION

A.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if:

1.  This state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding, or was the home state of the child within six (6) months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state, but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in this state;

2.  A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under paragraph 1 of this subsection, or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum under Section 19 or 20 of this act, and:

a. the child and the child's parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this state other than mere physical presence, and

b. substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships;

3.  All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this state is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under Section 19 or 20 of this act; or

4.  No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in paragraph 1, 2, or 3 of this subsection.

B.  Subsection A of this section is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this state.

C.  Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 13, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-202.  Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.

EXCLUSIVE, CONTINUING JURISDICTION

A.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, a court of this state which has made a child custody determination consistent with Section 13 or 15 of this act has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until:

1.  A court of this state determines that neither the child, the child and one parent, nor the child and a person acting as a parent have a significant connection with this state and that substantial evidence is no longer available in this state concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships; or

2.  A court of this state or a court of another state determines that the child, the child's parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in this state.

B.  A court of this state which has made a child custody determination and does not have exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under this section may modify that determination only if it has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under Section 13 of this act.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 14, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-203.  Jurisdiction to modify determination.

JURISDICTION TO MODIFY DETERMINATION

Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, a court of this state may not modify a child custody determination made by a court of another state unless a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection A of Section 13 of this act and:

1.  The court of the other state determines it no longer has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under Section 14 of this act or that a court of this state would be a more convenient forum under Section 19 of this act; or

2.  A court of this state or a court of the other state determines that the child, the child's parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in the other state.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 15, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-204.  Temporary emergency jurisdiction.

TEMPORARY EMERGENCY JURISDICTION

A.  A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the child, is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse.

B.  If there is no previous child custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this act and a child custody proceeding has not been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act, a child custody determination made under this section remains in effect until an order is obtained from a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act.  If a child custody proceeding has not been or is not commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act, a child custody determination made under this section becomes a final determination, if it so provides and this state becomes the home state of the child.

C.  If there is a previous child custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this act, or a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act, any order issued by a court of this state under this section must specify in the order a period that the court considers adequate to allow the person seeking an order to obtain an order from the state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act.  The order issued in this state remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other state within the period specified or the period expires.

D.  A court of this state which has been asked to make a child custody determination under this section, upon being informed that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child custody determination has been made by, a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act, shall immediately communicate with the other court.  A court of this state which is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to Sections 13 through 15 of this act, upon being informed that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child custody determination has been made by, a court of another state under a statute similar to this section shall immediately communicate with the court of that state to resolve the emergency, protect the safety of the parties and the child, and determine a period for the duration of the temporary order.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-205.  Notice; opportunity to be heard; joinder.

NOTICE; OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD; JOINDER

A.  Before a child custody determination is made under this act, notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the standards of Section 8 of this act must be given to all persons entitled to notice under the law of this state as in child custody proceedings between residents of this state, any parent whose parental rights have not been previously terminated, and any person having physical custody of the child.

B.  This act does not govern the enforceability of a child custody determination made without notice or an opportunity to be heard.

C.  The obligation to join a party and the right to intervene as a party in a child custody proceeding under this act are governed by the law of this state as in child custody proceedings between residents of this state.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 17, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-206.  Simultaneous proceedings.

SIMULTANEOUS PROCEEDINGS

A.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, a court of this state may not exercise its jurisdiction under this article if, at the time of the commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially in conformity with this act, unless the proceeding has been terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this state is a more convenient forum under Section 19 of this act.

B.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, a court of this state, before hearing a child custody proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by the parties pursuant to Section 21 of this act.  If the court determines that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this act, the court of this state shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the court of the other state.  If the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this act does not determine that the court of this state is a more appropriate forum, the court of this state shall dismiss the proceeding.

C.  In a proceeding to modify a child custody determination, a court of this state shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the determination has been commenced in another state.  If a proceeding to enforce a child custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may:

1.  Stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying, or dismissing the proceeding for enforcement;

2.  Enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for enforcement; or

3.  Proceed with the modification under conditions it considers appropriate.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 18, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-207.  Inconvenient forum.

INCONVENIENT FORUM

A.  A court of this state which has jurisdiction under this act to make a child custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.  The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon the motion of a party, the court's own motion, or request of another court.

B.  Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this state shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction.  For this purpose, the court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including:

1.  Whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child;

2.  The length of time the child has resided outside this state;

3.  The distance between the court in this state and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction;

4.  The relative financial circumstances of the parties;

5.  Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;

6.  The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child;

7.  The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and

8.  The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation.

C.  If a court of this state determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child custody proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper.

D.  A court of this state may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this act if a child custody determination is incidental to an action for divorce or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the divorce or other proceeding.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 19, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-208.  Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct.

JURISDICTION DECLINED BY REASON OF CONDUCT

A.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act or by another law of this state, if a court of this state has jurisdiction under this act because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless:

1.  The parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction;

2.  A court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act determines that this state is a more appropriate forum under Section 19 of this act; or

3.  No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in Sections 13 through 15 of this act.

B.  If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection A of this section, it may fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act.

C.  If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection A of this section, it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses, attorney fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate.  The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against this state unless authorized by law other than this act.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 20, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-209.  Information to be submitted to court.

INFORMATION TO BE SUBMITTED TO COURT

A.  In a child custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or in an attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under oath as to the child's present address or whereabouts, the places where the child has lived during the last five (5) years, and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period.  The pleading or affidavit must state whether the party:

1.  Has participated, as a party or witness or in any other capacity, in any other proceeding concerning the custody of or visitation with the child and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the date of the child custody determination, if any;

2.  Knows of any proceeding that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions, and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding; and

3.  Knows the names and addresses of any person not a party to the proceeding who has physical custody of the child or claims rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or visitation with, the child and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons.

B.  If the information required by subsection A of this section is not furnished, the court, upon motion of a party or its own motion, may stay the proceeding until the information is furnished.

C.  If the declaration as to any of the items described in paragraphs 1 through 3 of subsection A of this section is in the affirmative, the declarant shall give additional information under oath as required by the court.  The court may examine the parties under oath as to details of the information furnished and other matters pertinent to the court's jurisdiction and the disposition of the case.

D.  Each party has a continuing duty to inform the court of any proceeding in this or any other state that could affect the current proceeding.

E.  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 identifying information, the information must be sealed and may not be disclosed to the other party or the public unless the court orders the disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into consideration the health, safety, or liberty of the party or child and determines that the disclosure is in the interest of justice.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 21, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-210.  Appearance of parties and child.

APPEARANCE OF PARTIES AND CHILD

A.  In a child custody proceeding in this state, the court may order a party to the proceeding who is in this state to appear before the court in person with or without the child.  The court may order any person who is in this state and who has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child.

B.  If a party to a child custody proceeding whose presence is desired by the court is outside this state, the court may order that a notice given pursuant to Section 8 of this act include a statement directing the party to appear in person with or without the child and informing the party that failure to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party.

C.  The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section.

D.  If a party to a child custody proceeding who is outside this state is directed to appear under subsection B of this section or desires to appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses of the party so appearing and of the child.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 22, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-301.  Definitions.

DEFINITIONS

In this article:

1.  "Petitioner" means a person who seeks enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination.

2.  "Respondent" means a person against whom a proceeding has been commenced for enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 23, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-302.  Enforcement under Hague Convention.

ENFORCEMENT UNDER HAGUE CONVENTION

Under this article a court of this state may enforce an order for the return of the child made under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction as if it were a child custody determination.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 24, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-303.  Duty to enforce.

DUTY TO ENFORCE

A.  A court of this state shall recognize and enforce a child custody determination of a court of another state if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial conformity with this act or the determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional standards of this act and the determination has not been modified in accordance with this act.

B.  A court of this state may utilize any remedy available under other laws of this state to enforce a child custody determination made by a court of another state.  The remedies provided in this article are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child custody determination.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 25, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-304.  Temporary visitation.

TEMPORARY VISITATION

A.  A court of this state which does not have jurisdiction to modify a child custody determination, may issue a temporary order enforcing:

1.  A visitation schedule made by a court of another state; or

2.  The visitation provisions of a child custody determination of another state that does not provide for a specific visitation schedule.

B.  If a court of this state makes an order under paragraph 2 of subsection A of this section, it shall specify in the order a period of time that it considers adequate to allow the petitioner to obtain an order from a court having jurisdiction under the criteria specified in Article 2 of this act.  The order remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other court or the time period expires.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 26, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-305.  Registration of child custody determination.

REGISTRATION OF CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATION

A.  A child custody determination issued by a court of another state may be registered in this state, with or without a simultaneous request for enforcement, by sending to the appropriate court in this state:

1.  A letter or other document requesting registration;

2.  Two copies, including one certified copy, of the determination sought to be registered, and a statement under penalty of perjury that to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person seeking registration the order has not been modified; and

3.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 21 of this act, the name and address of the person seeking registration and any parent or person acting as a parent who has been awarded custody or visitation in the child custody determination sought to be registered.

B.  On receipt of the documents required by subsection A of this section, the registering court shall:

1.  Cause the determination to be filed as a foreign judgment, together with one copy of any accompanying documents and information, regardless of their form; and

2.  Serve notice upon the persons named pursuant to paragraph 3 subsection A of this section and provide them with an opportunity to contest the registration in accordance with this section.

C.  The notice required by paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section must state that:

1.  A registered determination is enforceable as of the date of the registration in the same manner as a determination issued by a court of this state;

2.  A hearing to contest the validity of the registered determination must be requested within twenty (20) days after service of notice; and

3.  Failure to contest the registration will result in confirmation of the child custody determination and preclude further contest of that determination with respect to any matter that could have been asserted.

D.  A person seeking to contest the validity of a registered order must request a hearing within twenty (20) days after service of the notice.  At that hearing, the court shall confirm the registered order unless the person contesting registration establishes that:

1.  The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 of this act;

2.  The child custody determination sought to be registered has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act; or

3.  The person contesting registration was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of Section 8 of this act, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which registration is sought.

E.  If a timely request for a hearing to contest the validity of the registration is not made, the registration is confirmed as a matter of law and the person requesting registration and all persons served must be notified of the confirmation.

F.  Confirmation of a registered order, whether by operation of law or after notice and hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of registration.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 27, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-306.  Enforcement of registered determination.

ENFORCEMENT OF REGISTERED DETERMINATION

A.  A court of this state may grant any relief normally available under the laws of this state to enforce a registered child custody determination made by a court of another state.

B.  A court of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, except in accordance with Article 2 of this act, a registered child custody determination of a court of another state.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 28, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-307.  Simultaneous proceedings.

SIMULTANEOUS PROCEEDINGS

If a proceeding for enforcement under this article is commenced in a court of this state and the court determines that a proceeding to modify the determination is pending in a court of another state having jurisdiction to modify the determination under Article 2 of this act, the enforcing court shall immediately communicate with the modifying court.  The proceeding for enforcement continues unless the enforcing court, after consultation with the modifying court, stays or dismisses the proceeding.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 29, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-308.  Expedited enforcement of child custody determination.

EXPEDITED ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATION

A.  A petition under this article must be verified.  Certified copies of all orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be attached to the petition.  A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached instead of the original.

B.  A petition for enforcement of a child custody determination must state:

1.  Whether the court that issued the determination identified the jurisdictional basis it relied upon in exercising jurisdiction and, if so, what the basis was;

2.  Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced under this act and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;

3.  Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;

4.  The present physical address of the child and the respondent, if known;

5.  Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody of the child and attorney's fees is sought, including a request for assistance from law enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and

6.  If the child custody determination has been registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act, the date and place of registration.

C.  Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order directing the respondent to appear in person with or without the child at a hearing and may enter any order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties and the child.  The hearing must be held on the judicial day after service of the order unless that date is impossible.  In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible.  The court may extend the date of hearing at the request of the petitioner.

D.  An order issued under subsection C of this section must state the time and place of the hearing and advise the respondent that at the hearing the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child and the payment of fees, costs, and expenses under Section 34 of this act, and may schedule a hearing to determine whether further relief is appropriate, unless the respondent appears and establishes that:

1.  The child custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act and that:

a. the issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 of this act,

b. the child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act, or

c. the respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of Section 8 of this act, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or

2.  The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 30, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-309.  Service of petition and order.

SERVICE OF PETITION AND ORDER

Except as otherwise provided in Section 33 of this act, the petition and order shall be served upon the respondent and any person who has physical custody of the child in the manner provided in Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 31, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-310.  Hearing and order.

HEARING AND ORDER

A.  Unless the court issues a temporary emergency order pursuant to Section 16 of this act, upon a finding that a petitioner is entitled to immediate physical custody of the child, the court shall order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child unless the respondent establishes that:

1.  The child custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act and that:

a. the issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 of this act,

b. the child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act, or

c. the respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of Section 8 of this act, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or

2.  The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act.

B.  The court shall award the fees, costs, and expenses authorized under Section 34 of this act and may grant additional relief, including a request for the assistance of law enforcement officials, and set a further hearing to determine whether additional relief is appropriate.

C.  If a party called to testify refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the court may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.

D.  A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses and a defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child may not be invoked in a proceeding under this article.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 32, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-311.  Warrant to take physical custody of child.

WARRANT TO TAKE PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF CHILD

A.  Upon the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child custody determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance of a warrant to take physical custody of the child if the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this state.

B.  If the court, upon the testimony of the petitioner or other witness, finds that the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this state it may issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child.  The petition must be heard on the next judicial day after the warrant is executed unless that date is impossible.  In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible.  The application for the warrant must include the statements required by subsection B of Section 30 of this act.

C.  A warrant to take physical custody of a child must:

1.  Recite the facts upon which a conclusion of imminent serious physical harm or removal from the jurisdiction is based;

2.  Direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child immediately; and

3.  Provide for the placement of the child pending final relief.

D.  The respondent must be served with the petition, warrant, and order immediately after the child is taken into physical custody.

E.  A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable throughout this state.  If the court finds on the basis of the testimony of the petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive remedy is not effective, it may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take physical custody of the child.  If required by exigent circumstances of the case, the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any hour.

F.  The court may impose conditions upon placement of a child to ensure the appearance of the child and the child's custodian.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 33, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-312.  Costs, fees, and expenses.

COSTS, FEES, AND EXPENSES

A.  The court shall award the prevailing party, including a state, necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs, communication expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees or expenses are sought establishes that the award would be clearly inappropriate.

B.  The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against a state unless authorized by laws other than this act.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 34, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-313.  Recognition and enforcement.

RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT

A court of this state shall accord full faith and credit to an order issued by another state and consistent with this act which enforces a child custody determination by a court of another state unless the order has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 35, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-314.  Appeals.

APPEALS

An appeal may be taken from a final order in a proceeding under this article in accordance with appellate procedures in other civil cases.  Unless the court enters a temporary emergency order under Section 16 of this act, the enforcing court may not stay an order enforcing a child custody determination pending appeal.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 36, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-315.  Role of district attorney.

ROLE OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY

A.  In a case arising under this act or involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the district attorney may take any lawful action, including resorting to a proceeding under this article or any other available civil proceeding, to locate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child custody determination if there is:

1.  An existing child custody determination;

2.  A request to do so from a court in a pending child custody proceeding;

3.  A reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or

4.  A reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed or retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

B.  A district attorney acting under this section acts on behalf of the court and may not represent any party.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 37, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-316.  Role of law enforcement.

ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

At the request of a district attorney acting under Section 37 of this act, a law enforcement officer may take any lawful action reasonably necessary to locate a child or a party and assist the district attorney with responsibilities under Section 37 of this act.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 38, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-317.  Costs and expenses.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

If the respondent is not the prevailing party, the court may assess against the respondent all direct expenses and costs incurred by the district attorney and law enforcement officer under Section 37 or 38 of this act.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 39, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-401.  Application and construction.

APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION

In applying and construing this Uniform Act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 40, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-551-402.  Transitional provision.

TRANSITIONAL PROVISION

A motion or other request for relief made in a child custody proceeding or to enforce a child custody determination which was commenced before the effective date of this act is governed by the law in effect at the time the motion or other request was made.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 407, § 41, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.

§43-601-100.  Short title.

This act may be cited as the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-101.  Definitions.

In the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act:

1.  "Child" means an individual, whether over or under the age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the individual's parent or who is or is alleged to be the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent;

2.  "Child support order" means a support order for a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing state;

3.  "Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse, or former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to provide support;

4.  "Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least six (6) consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a petition or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is less than six (6) months old, the state in which the child lived from birth with any of them.  A period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of the six-month or other period;

5.  "Income" includes earnings or other periodic entitlements to money from any source and any other property subject to withholding for support under the law of this state;

6.  "Income-withholding order" means an order or other legal process directed to an obligor's employer or other debtor, as defined by the income-withholding law of this state, to withhold support from the income of the obligor;

7.  "Initiating state" means a state from which a proceeding is forwarded or in which a proceeding is filed for forwarding to a responding state under this act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this act;

8.  "Initiating tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in an initiating state;

9.  "Issuing state" means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage;

10.  "Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal that issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage;

11.  "Law" includes decisional and statutory law and rules and regulations having the force of law;

12.  "Obligee" means:

a. an individual to whom a duty of support is or is alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order has been issued or a judgment determining parentage has been rendered,

b. a state or political subdivision to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or which has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee, or

c. an individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual's child;

13.  "Obligor" means an individual, or the estate of a decedent:

a. who owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support,

b. who is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child, or

c. who is liable under a support order;

14.  "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity;

15.  "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form;

16.  "Register" means to record or file a support order or judgment determining parentage in the appropriate location for the recording or filing of foreign judgments generally or foreign support orders specifically;

17.  "Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which a support order is registered;

18.  "Responding state" means a state in which a proceeding is filed or to which a proceeding is forwarded for filing from an initiating state pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or a law or procedure substantially similar to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act;

19.  "Responding tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in a responding state;

20.  "Spousal support order" means a support order for a spouse or former spouse of the obligor;

21.  "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.  The term includes:

a. an Indian tribe, and

b. a foreign country or political subdivision that:

(1) has been declared to be a foreign reciprocating country or political subdivision under federal law,

(2) has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or

(3) has enacted a law or established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support orders which are substantially similar to the procedures pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act;

22.  "Support enforcement agency" means a public official or agency authorized to seek:

a. enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support,

b. establishment or modification of child support,

c. determination of parentage,

d. location of obligors or their assets, or

e. determination of the controlling child support order;

23.  "Support order" means a judgment, decree, order or directive, whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, issued by a tribunal for the benefit of a child, a spouse, or a former spouse, which provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages, or reimbursement, and may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, attorney's fees, and other relief; and

24.  "Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-102.  Tribunals of this state.

The district court and the Department of Human Services are the tribunals of this state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-103.  Remedies cumulative.

A.  Remedies provided by this act are cumulative and do not affect the availability of remedies under other law, including the recognition of a support order of a foreign country or political subdivision on the basis of comity.

B.  This act does not:

1.  Provide the exclusive method of establishing or enforcing a support order under the laws of this state; or

2.  Grant a tribunal of this state jurisdiction to render judgment or issue an order relating to child custody or visitation in a proceeding under this act.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-201.  Bases for jurisdiction over nonresident.

A.  In a proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage, a tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual's guardian or conservator if:

1.  The individual is personally served with summons within this state;

2.  The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent, by entering a general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction;

3.  The individual resided with the child in this state;

4.  The individual resided in this state and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child;

5.  The child resides in this state as a result of the acts or directives of the individual;

6.  The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse;

7.  The individual asserted parentage in the putative father registry maintained in this state by the appropriate agency; or

8.  There is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.

B.  The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in subsection A of this section or in any other law of this state may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of the state to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of Section 601-611 of this title or Section 41 of this act are met.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-202.  Duration of jurisdiction.

Personal jurisdiction acquired by a tribunal of this state in a proceeding under this act or other law of this state relating to a support order continues as long as a tribunal of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to enforce its order as provided by Sections 601-205 and 601-206 of this title and Section 11 of this act.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-203.  Initiating and responding tribunal of this state.

Under this act, a tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to forward proceedings to another state and as a responding tribunal for proceedings initiated in another state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-204.  Simultaneous proceedings in another state.

A.  A tribunal of this state may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed after a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state only if:

1.  The petition or comparable pleading in this state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state;

2.  The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state; and

3.  If relevant, this state is the home state of the child.

B.  A tribunal of this state may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state if:

1.  The petition or comparable pleading in the other state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this state for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this state;

2.  The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this state; and

3.  If relevant, the other state is the home state of the child.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-205.  Continuing, exclusive jurisdiction - Controlling order.

A.  A tribunal of this state that has issued a support order consistent with the law of this state has and shall exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its child support order if the order is the controlling order and:

1.  At the time of the filing of a request for modification, this state is the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued; or

2.  Even if this state is not the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued, the parties consent in a record or in open court that the tribunal of this state may continue to exercise jurisdiction to modify its order.

B.  A tribunal of this state issuing a child support order consistent with the law of this state may not exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the order if:

1.  All of the parties who are individuals file consent in a record with the tribunal of this state that a tribunal of another state that has jurisdiction over at least one of the parties who is an individual or that is located in the state of residence of the child may modify the order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction; or

2.  Its order is not the controlling order.

C.  If a tribunal of another state which has issued a child support order pursuant to a law substantially similar to this act which modifies a child support order of a tribunal of this state, tribunals of this state shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal of the other state.

D.  A tribunal of this state that lacks continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify a child support order may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to modify a support order issued in that state.

E.  A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-206.  Request for enforcement of order by tribunal of other state.

A.  A tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this state 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 act; or

2.  A money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of another state is the controlling order.

B.  A tribunal of this state having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce the order.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-207.  Determination of controlling order.

A.  If a proceeding is brought pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act and only one tribunal has issued a child support order, the order of that tribunal controls and must be so recognized.

B.  If a proceeding is brought pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, and two or more child support orders have been issued by tribunals of this state or another state with regard to the same obligor and same child, a tribunal of this state having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and individual obligee shall apply the following rules and by order shall determine which order controls:

1.  If only one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the order of that tribunal controls and must be so recognized;

2.  If more than one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act:

a. an order issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child controls, but

b. if an order has not been issued in the current home state of the child, the order most recently issued controls; and

3.  If none of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the tribunal of this state shall issue a child support order, which controls.

C.  If two or more child support orders have been issued for the same obligor and same child, upon request of a party who is an individual or a support enforcement agency, a tribunal of this state having personal jurisdiction over both the obligor and the obligee who is an individual shall determine which order controls under subsection B of this section.  The request may be filed with a registration for enforcement or registration for modification pursuant to Article 6 of this title, or may be filed as a separate proceeding.

D.  A request to determine which is the controlling order must be accompanied by a copy of every child support order in effect and the applicable record of payments.  The requesting party shall give notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected by the determination.

E.  The tribunal that issued the controlling order under subsection A, B, or C of this section has continuing jurisdiction to the extent provided in Section 601-205 or 601-206 of this title.

F.  A tribunal of this state  that determines by order  which is the controlling order under paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection B or subsection C of this section, or that issues a new controlling order under paragraph 3 of subsection B of this section, shall state in that order:

1.  The basis upon which the tribunal made its determination;

2.  The amount of prospective support, if any; and

3.  The total amount of consolidated arrears and accrued interest, if any, under all of the orders after all payments made are credited as provided by Section 601-209 of this title.

G.  Within thirty (30) days after issuance of an order determining which is the controlling order, the party obtaining the order shall file a certified copy of it in each tribunal that issued or registered an earlier order of child support.  A party or support enforcement agency obtaining the order that fails to file a certified copy is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises.  The failure to file does not affect the validity or enforceability of the controlling order.

H.  An order that has been determined to be the controlling order, or a judgment for consolidated arrears of support and interest, if any, made pursuant to this section must be recognized in proceedings under this act.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-208.  Child support orders for two or more obligees.

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, a tribunal of this state shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the orders had been issued by a tribunal of this state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-209.  Credit for payments.

A tribunal of this state 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 this or another state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-210.  Receipt of evidence from another state - Applicable law.

A tribunal of this state exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this act, under other law of this state relating to a support order, or recognizing a support order of a foreign country or political subdivision on the basis of comity may receive evidence from another state pursuant to Section 601-316 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes, communicate with a tribunal of another state pursuant to Section 601-317 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and obtain discovery through a tribunal of another state pursuant to Section 601-318 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  In all other respects, Articles 3 through 7 of this title do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-211.  Modification of spousal support order - Request for enforcement to tribunal of another state.

A.  A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal support order throughout the existence of the support obligation.

B.  A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of another state having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state.

C.  A tribunal of this state 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 Laws 2004, c. 367, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-301.  Proceedings under this act.

A.  Except as otherwise provided in this act, this article applies to all proceedings under this act.

B.  An individual petitioner or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding authorized under this act 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 which has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 12, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-302.  Action by 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.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-303.  Application of law of this state.

Except as otherwise provided in this act, a responding tribunal of this state shall:

1.  Apply the procedural and substantive law generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in this state and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings; and

2.  Determine the duty of support and the amount payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of this state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 13, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-304.  Duties of initiating tribunal.

A.  Upon the filing of a petition authorized by the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, an initiating tribunal of this state 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 this state shall issue a certificate or other document and make findings required by the law of the responding state.  If the responding state is a foreign country or political subdivision, upon request the tribunal 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 state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 14, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-305.  Duties and powers of responding tribunal.

A.  When a responding tribunal of this state receives a petition or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or directly pursuant to subsection B of Section 601-301 of this title, 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 this state, to the extent not prohibited by other law, may do one or more of the following:

1.  Issue or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, determine the controlling child support order, or determine parentage;

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, telephone number, employer, address of employment, and telephone number at the place of employment;

9.  Issue a bench warrant for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the bench warrant 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 this state shall include in a support order issued pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or in the documents accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support order is based.

D.  A responding tribunal of this state may not condition the payment of a support order issued pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act upon compliance by a party with provisions for visitation.

E.  If a responding tribunal of this state issues an order pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, 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 this state 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.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 15, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-306.  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 in this state or another state and notify the petitioner where and when the pleading was sent.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-307.  Duties of support enforcement agency.

A.  A support enforcement agency of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.

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 in this state or another state 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 two (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;

5.  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

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 request a tribunal of this state to issue a child support order and an incomewithholding 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 601-319 of this title.

F.  The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act 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.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 17, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-308.  Powers 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 order the agency to perform its duties under this act or may provide those services directly to the individual.

B.  The Attorney General may determine that a foreign country or political subdivision has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state and take appropriate action for notification of the determination.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 21, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 18, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-309.  Private counsel.

An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this act.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 22, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-310.  Duties of state information agency.

A.  The Child Support Enforcement Division of the Department of Human Services is the state information agency under this act.

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 act 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 this state 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 act received from an initiating tribunal or the state information agency of the initiating state; 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, driver's licenses, and social security.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 23, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 19, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-311.  Petition - Contents and accompanying documents.

A.  In a proceeding under this act, a petitioner seeking to establish a support order, to determine parentage, or to register and modify a support order of another state must file a petition.  Unless otherwise ordered under Section 601-312 of this title, 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.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 20, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-312.  Sealing of information.

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 the 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.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 25, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 21, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-313.  Costs and fees.

A.  The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs.

B.  If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal 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, 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 Sections 601-601 through 601-612 of this title, a hearing is presumed to have been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced without change.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 26, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 22, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-314.  Limited immunity of petitioner.

A.  Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding under this act 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 act.

C.  The immunity granted by this section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding under this act committed by a party while present in this state to participate in the proceeding.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 27, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 23, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-315.  Nonparentage as defense.

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 act.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 28, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-316.  Special rules of evidence and procedure.

A.  The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of this state is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage.

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 in another 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, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least ten (10) 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 another state to a tribunal of this state by telephone, telecopier, or other 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 act, a tribunal of this state shall permit a party or witness residing in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location in that state.  A tribunal of this state shall cooperate with tribunals of other states 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 selfincriminating, 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 act.

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 act.

J.  A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of the child.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 29, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 24, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-317.  Communications between tribunals.

A tribunal of this state may communicate with a tribunal of another state or foreign country or political subdivision in a record, or by telephone 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 in the other state or foreign country or political subdivision.  A tribunal of this state may furnish similar information by similar means to a tribunal of another state or foreign country or political subdivision.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 30, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 25, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-318.  Assistance with discovery.

A tribunal of this state may:

1.  Request a tribunal of another state to assist in obtaining discovery; and

2.  Upon request, compel a person over whom it has jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a tribunal of another state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 31, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-319.  Receipt and disbursement of payments - Payment to enforcement agency of another state - Certified statement.

A.  A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this state 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 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 this state 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 incomewithholding 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 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.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 32, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 26, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-401.  Petition to establish support order.

A.  If a support order entitled to recognition under this act has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this state may issue a support order if:

1.  The individual seeking the order resides in another state; or

2.  The support enforcement agency seeking the order is located in another 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 Section 1-311.3 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

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 Section 601-305 of this title.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 33, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 27, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-501.  Recognition of income-withholding order issued in another state.

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 under the income-withholding law of this state without first filing a petition or comparable pleading or registering the order with a tribunal of this state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 34, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 28, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-502.  Employer obligations.

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 this state.

C.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection D of this section and Section 601-503 of this title, 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 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 sum 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 times within which the employer must implement the withholding order and forward the child support payment.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 35, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 29, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-503.  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.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 30, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-504.  Employer's civil liability limited.

An employer who 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.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

§43-601-505.  Willful noncompliance.

An employer who willfully fails to comply with an income-withholding order issued by 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 of this state.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

§43-601-506.  Contest of order.

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 this state by registering the order in a tribunal of this state and filing a contest to that order as provided in Article 6 of this title, or otherwise contesting the order in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this state.

B.  The obligor shall give notice of the contest to:

1.  A 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.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 31, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-507.  Administrative enforcement of orders.

A.  A party or support enforcement agency seeking to enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both, issued by a tribunal of another state may send the documents required for registering the order to a support enforcement agency of this state.

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 this state 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 the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 32, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-601.  Registration of order for enforcement.

A support order or an incomewithholding order issued by a tribunal of another state may be registered in this state for enforcement.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 36, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-602.  Procedure to register order for enforcement.

A.  A support order or incomewithholding order of another state may be registered in this state by sending the following records and information to the appropriate tribunal in this state:

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 this state not exempt from execution; and

5.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 601-312 of this title, 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 a foreign judgment, together with one copy of the documents and information, regardless of their form.

C.  A petition or comparable pleading seeking a remedy that must be affirmatively sought under other law of this state may be filed at the same time as the request for registration or later.  The pleading must specify the grounds for the remedy sought.

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 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.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 33, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-603.  Effect of registration for enforcement.

A.  A support order or incomewithholding order issued in another state is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of this state.

B.  A registered order issued in another state is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of this state.

C.  Except as otherwise provided in this article, a tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, a registered order if the issuing tribunal had jurisdiction.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 38, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-604.  Law, procedures, and remedies to be applied.

A.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection B of this section, the law of the issuing state 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, the statute of limitation of this state or of the issuing state, whichever is longer, applies.

C.  A responding tribunal of this state 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 registered in this state.

D.  After a tribunal of this or another state determines which is the controlling order and issues an order consolidating arrears, if any, a tribunal of this state shall prospectively apply the law of the state issuing the controlling order, including its law on interest on arrears, on current and future support, and on consolidated arrears.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 39, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 34, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-605.  Notice of registration of order.

A.  When a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state is registered, the registering tribunal shall notify the nonregistering party.  The notice must be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant information accompanying the order.

B.  A notice must inform the nonregistering party:

1.  That a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of this state;

2.  That a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order must be requested within twenty (20) days after the date of mailing or personal service of the notice;

3.  That failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted; and

4.  Of the amount of any alleged arrearages.

C.  If the registering party asserts that two or more orders are in effect, a notice shall also:

1.  Identify the two or more orders and the order alleged by the registering person to be the controlling order and the consolidated arrears, if any;

2.  Notify the nonregistering party of the right to a determination of which is the controlling order;

3.  State that the procedures provided in subsection B of this section apply to the determination of which is the controlling order; and

4.  State that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the order alleged to be the controlling order in a timely manner may result in confirmation that the order is the controlling order.

D.  Upon registration of an income-withholding order for enforcement, the registering tribunal shall notify the obligor's employer pursuant to the income-withholding law of this state.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 35, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-606.  Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of registered order.

A.  A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity or enforcement of a registered order in this state shall request a hearing within twenty (20) days after the date of mailing or personal service of notice of the registration.  The nonregistering party may seek to vacate the registration, to assert any defense to an allegation of noncompliance with the registered order, or to contest the remedies being sought or the amount of any alleged arrearages pursuant to Section 601-607 of this title.

B.  If the nonregistering party fails to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law.

C.  If a nonregistering party requests a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order, the registering tribunal shall schedule the matter for hearing and give notice to the parties of the date, time, and place of the hearing.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 41, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

§43-601-607.  Contest of registration or enforcement.

A.  A party contesting the validity or enforcement of a registered order or seeking to vacate the registration has the burden of proving one or more of the following defenses:

1.  The issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction over the contesting party;

2.  The order was obtained by fraud;

3.  The order has been vacated, suspended, or modified by a later order;

4.  The issuing tribunal has stayed the order pending appeal;

5.  There is a defense under the law of this state to the remedy sought;

6.  Full or partial payment has been made;

7.  The statute of limitation under Section 601-604 of this title precludes enforcement of some or all of the alleged arrearages; or

8.  The alleged controlling order is not the controlling order.

B.  If a party presents evidence establishing a full or partial defense under subsection A of this section, a tribunal may stay enforcement of the registered order, continue the proceeding to permit production of additional relevant evidence, and issue other appropriate orders.  An uncontested portion of the registered order may be enforced by all remedies available under the law of this state.

C.  If the contesting party does not establish a defense under subsection A of this section to the validity or enforcement of the order, the registering tribunal shall issue an order confirming the order.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 42, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 36, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-608.  Confirmed order.

Confirmation of a registered order, whether by operation of law or after notice and hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of registration.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 43, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-609.  Procedure to register child support order of another state for modification.

A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child support order issued in another state shall register that order in this state in the same manner provided in Part A of this article if the order has not been registered.  A petition for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or later.  The pleading must specify the grounds for modification.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 44, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-610.  Effect of registration for modification.

A tribunal of this state may enforce a child support order of another state registered for purposes of modification, in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this state, but the registered order may be modified only if the requirements of Section 601-611 or 601-613 of this title or Section 41 of this act have been met.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 45, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 37, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-611.  Modification of child support order of another state.

A.  If Section 601-613 of this title does not apply, except as otherwise provided in Section 41 of this act, upon petition a tribunal of this state may modify a child support order issued in another state which is registered in this state if, after notice and hearing, the tribunal finds that:

1.  The following requirements are met:

a. neither the child, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the obligor resides in the issuing state,

b. a petitioner who is a nonresident of this state seeks modification, and

c. the respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state; or

2.  This state is the state of residence of the child, or a party who is an individual, is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state and all of the parties who are individuals have filed consents in a record in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this state to modify the support order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

B.  Modification of a registered child support order is subject to the same requirements, procedures, and defenses that apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of this state and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the same manner.

C.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 41 of this act, a tribunal of this state may not modify any aspect of a child support order that may not be modified under the law of the issuing state, including the duration of the obligation of support.  If two or more tribunals have issued child support orders for the same obligor and same child, the order that controls and must be so recognized under Section 601-207 of this title establishes the aspects of the support order which are nonmodifiable.

D.  In a proceeding to modify a child support order, the law of the state that is determined to have issued the initial controlling order governs the duration of the obligation of support.  The obligor's fulfillment of the duty of support established by the order precludes imposition of a further obligation of support by a tribunal of this state.

E.  On issuance of an order by a tribunal of this state modifying a child support order issued in another state, the tribunal of this state becomes the tribunal having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 46, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 38, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-612.  Recognition of order modified in another state.

If a child support order issued by a tribunal of this state is modified by a tribunal of another state which assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, a tribunal of this state:

1.  May enforce its order that was modified only as to arrears and interest accruing before the modification;

2.  May provide appropriate relief for violations of its order which occurred before the effective date of the modification; and

3.  Shall recognize the modifying order of the other state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 47, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 39, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-613.  Jurisdiction - Applicability of provisions.

A.  If all of the parties who are individuals reside in this state and the child does not reside in the issuing state, a tribunal of this state has jurisdiction to enforce and to modify the issuing state's child support order in a proceeding to register that order.

B.  A tribunal of this state exercising jurisdiction under this section shall apply the provisions of Sections 601-101 through 601-209 of this title, and the procedural and substantive law of this state to the proceeding for enforcement or modification.  Sections 601-301 through 601-507 and 601-701 through 601-802 of this title do not apply.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 40, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-614.  Filing of modified child support order.

Within thirty (30) days after issuance of a modified child support order, the party obtaining the modification shall file a certified copy of the order with the issuing tribunal that had continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over the earlier order, and in each tribunal in which the party knows the earlier order has been registered.  A party who obtains the order and fails to file a certified copy is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises.  The failure to file does not affect the validity or enforceability of the modified order of the new tribunal having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 360, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

§43-601-615.  Modification of order made by foreign country or political subdivision that is a state.

A.  If a foreign country or political subdivision that is a state will not or may not modify its order pursuant to its laws, a tribunal of this state may assume jurisdiction to modify the child support order and bind all individuals subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal whether or not the consent to modification of a child support order otherwise required of the individual pursuant to Section 601-611 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes has been given or whether the individual seeking modification is a resident of this state or of the foreign country or political subdivision.

B.  An order issued pursuant to this section is the controlling order.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 41, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-701.  Proceeding to determine parentage.

A court of this state authorized to determine parentage of a child may serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage brought under this act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this act.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 48, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1995, c. 273, § 2, emerg. eff. May 25, 1995; Laws 2004, c. 367, § 42, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-801.  Grounds for rendition.

A.  For purposes of this article, "governor" includes an individual performing the functions of governor or the executive authority of a state covered by this act.

B.  The Governor of this state may:

1.  Demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual found in the other state who is charged criminally in this state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee; or

2.  On the demand by the governor of another state, surrender an individual found in this state who is charged criminally in the other state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee.

C.  A provision for extradition of individuals not inconsistent with this act applies to the demand even if the individual whose surrender is demanded was not in the demanding state when the crime was allegedly committed and has not fled therefrom.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 49, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

§43-601-802.  Condition of rendition.

A.  Before making a demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual charged criminally in this state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee, the Governor of this state may require a prosecutor of this state to demonstrate that at least sixty (60) days previously the obligee had initiated proceedings for support pursuant to this act or that the proceeding would be of no avail.

B.  If, under this act or a law substantially similar to this act, the governor of another state makes a demand that the Governor of this state surrender an individual charged criminally in that state with having failed to provide for the support of a child or other individual to whom a duty of support is owed, the Governor may require a prosecutor to investigate the demand and report whether a proceeding for support has been initiated or would be effective.  If it appears that a proceeding would be effective but has not been initiated, the Governor may delay honoring the demand for a reasonable time to permit the initiation of a proceeding.

C.  If a proceeding for support has been initiated and the individual whose rendition is demanded prevails, the Governor may decline to honor the demand.  If the petitioner prevails and the individual whose rendition is demanded is subject to a support order, the Governor may decline to honor the demand if the individual is complying with the support order.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 50, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 43, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-601-901.  Uniformity of application and construction.

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 160, § 51, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 367, § 44, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§43-700.1.  Repealed by Laws 1999, c. 59, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.

§43-700.2.  Repealed by Laws 1999, c. 59, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.

§43-700.3.  Repealed by Laws 1999, c. 59, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.

§43-700.4.  Repealed by Laws 1999, c. 59, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.

§43-700.5.  Repealed by Laws 1999, c. 59, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.

§43-700.6.  Repealed by Laws 1999, c. 59, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.