Department of Human Services recognized as designated agency

The Department of Human Services is recognized as the agency designated by the United States central authority to perform specific functions under the convention. 1244 19-11-183 History. Code 1981, § 19-11-182, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 705, § 1/SB 193. 19-11-183. Duties of Department of Human Services; available support proceedings. (a) In a support proceeding under this part, the Department of Human Services shall: (1) Transmit and receive applications; and (2) Initiate or facilitate the institution of a proceeding regarding an application in a tribunal of Georgia. (b) The following support proceedings are available to an obligee under the convention: (1) Recognition or recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order; (2) Enforcement of a support order issued or recognized in Georgia; (3) Establishment of a support order if there is no existing order, including, if necessary, determination of parentage of a child; (4) Establishment of a support order if recognition of a foreign support order is refused under paragraph (2), (4), or (9) of subsection (b) of Code Section 19-11-184.3; (5) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of Georgia; and (6) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country. (c) The following support proceedings are available under the convention to an obligor against which there is an existing support order: (1) Recognition of an order suspending or limiting enforcement of an existing support order of a tribunal of Georgia; (2) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of Georgia; and (3) Modification of a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country. (d) A tribunal of Georgia may not require security, bond, or deposit, however described, to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in proceedings under the convention. History. Code 1981, § 19-11-183, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 705, § 1/SB 193. 1245 19-11-184.1 19-11-184. Filing direct requests; entitlement to assistance; preference for simplified and expeditious processes. (a) A petitioner may file a direct request seeking establishment or modification of a support order or determination of parentage of a child. In the proceeding, the law of Georgia applies. (b) A petitioner may file a direct request seeking recognition and enforcement of a support order or support agreement. In the proceeding, Code Sections 19-11-184.1 through 19-11-184.8 apply. (c) In a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a convention support order or foreign support agreement: (1) A security, bond, or deposit is not required to guarantee the payment of costs and expenses; and (2) An obligee or obligor that in the issuing country has benefited from free legal assistance is entitled to benefit, at least to the same extent, from any free legal assistance provided for by the law of Georgia under the same circumstances. (d) A petitioner filing a direct request is not entitled to assistance from the Department of Human Services. (e) This part does not prevent the application of laws of Georgia that provide simplified, more expeditious rules regarding a direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support order or foreign support agreement. History. Code 1981, § 19-11-184, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 705, § 1/SB 193. 19-11-184.1. Request for registration.