36-5-2307 - Duties of support enforcement agency. - Tennessee Statutes

36-5-2307. Duties of support enforcement agency.

(a)  A support enforcement agency of this state, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under parts 20-29 of this chapter.

(b)  A support enforcement agency that is providing services to the petitioner as appropriate 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 five (5) days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice from an initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;

     (5)  Within five (5) 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)  Parts 20-29 of this chapter do 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.

[Acts 1997, ch. 551, § 2.]