26.21A.550 - Modification of child support order of another state.

Modification of child support order of another state.

(1) If RCW 26.21A.560 does not apply, except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.21A.570, 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:

     (a) The following requirements are met:

     (i) The child, the obligee who is an individual, and the obligor do not reside in the issuing state;

     (ii) A petitioner who is a nonresident of this state seeks modification; and

     (iii) The respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state; or

     (b) This state is either the state of residence of the child or of a party who is an individual 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.

     (2) 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.

     (3) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.21A.570, 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. 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 RCW 26.21A.130 establishes the aspects of the support order that are nonmodifiable.

     (4) 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 that order precludes imposition of a further obligation of support by a tribunal of this state.

     (5) 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.

[2002 c 198 § 611.]

Notes: Effective date -- 2002 c 198: See RCW 26.21A.900.