40-5-161. Duties of initiating tribunal. - Montana Statutes

     40-5-161. Duties of initiating tribunal. (1) Upon the filing of a petition authorized by this part, an initiating tribunal shall forward three copies of the petition and its accompanying documents:
     (a) to the responding tribunal or appropriate support enforcement agency in the responding state; or
     (b) 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.
     (2) If a responding state has not enacted the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or another law or procedure substantially similar to that act, a tribunal of this state may issue a certificate or other documents and make findings required by the law or procedure of the responding state. If the responding state is a foreign jurisdiction, the tribunal may specify the amount of support sought and provide other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding state.

     History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 237, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 93-2601-54; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 328, L. 1993; Sec. 40-5-115, MCA 1991; redes. 40-5-161 by Code Commissioner, 1993; amd. Sec. 127, Ch. 546, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 183, Ch. 42, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 30, Ch. 552, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 352, L. 2001.