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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>77249</law_id><section_number>20-88.50</section_number><catch_line>Duties of support enforcement agency</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>20-88.32</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="20">Domestic Relations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="5.3">Uniform Interstate Family Support Act</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="5">Civil Provisions of General Application</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">support enforcement agency</span> of the Commonwealth, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter. <a id="paragraph-277097" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> In a proceeding under this chapter, a <span class="dictionary">support enforcement agency</span> of the Commonwealth that is providing services to the petitioner shall: <a id="paragraph-277098" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate <span class="dictionary">tribunal</span> of the Commonwealth, another <span class="dictionary">state</span>, or a <span class="dictionary">foreign country</span> to obtain <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> over the respondent; <a id="paragraph-277099" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Request an appropriate <span class="dictionary">tribunal</span> to set a date, time, and place for a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>; <a id="paragraph-277100" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to <span class="dictionary">income</span> and property of the parties; <a id="paragraph-277101" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice in a <span class="dictionary">record</span> from an initiating, responding, or <span class="dictionary">registering tribunal</span>, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner; <a id="paragraph-277102" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of a written communication in a <span class="dictionary">record</span> from the respondent or the respondent&#x2019;s attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and <a id="paragraph-277103" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Notify the petitioner if <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> over the respondent cannot be obtained. <a id="paragraph-277104" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A <span class="dictionary">support enforcement agency</span> of the Commonwealth that requests registration of a <span class="dictionary">child support order</span> in the Commonwealth for enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that: <a id="paragraph-277105" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The order to be registered is the controlling order; or <a id="paragraph-277106" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If two or more <span class="dictionary">child support orders</span> exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal having <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> to do so. <a id="paragraph-277107" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A <span class="dictionary">support enforcement agency</span> of the Commonwealth that requests registration and enforcement of a support order, <span class="dictionary">arrears</span>, or <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> stated in a foreign currency shall convert the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amounts in U.S. dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported. <a id="paragraph-277108" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> A <span class="dictionary">support enforcement agency</span> of the Commonwealth shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> or request a tribunal of the Commonwealth to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a <span class="dictionary">child support order</span> and an <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">income</span>-withholding order</span> that redirects payment of current support, <span class="dictionary">arrears</span>, and interest to a <span class="dictionary">support enforcement agency</span> of the Commonwealth if requested to do so by a <span class="dictionary">support enforcement agency</span> of another <span class="dictionary">state</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Receipt and disbursement of payments" href="/20-88.62/">20-88.62</a>. <a id="paragraph-277109" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> This chapter does not create a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a <span class="dictionary">support enforcement agency</span> or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency. <a id="paragraph-277110" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-88.50/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1994, c. 673; 1997, cc. 797, 897; 2005, c. 754; 2015, c. 727.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
