454.895. Proceeding, services provided by support enforcement agency.

Proceeding, services provided by support enforcement agency.

454.895. (a) A support enforcement agency of this state, uponrequest, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding undersections 454.850 to 454.997.

(b) A support enforcement agency that is providing services to thepetitioner as appropriate shall:

(1) take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal inthis state or another state to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;

(2) request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time, and placefor a hearing;

(3) make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information,including information as to income and property of the parties;

(4) within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legalholidays, after receipt of a written notice from an initiating, responding,or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;

(5) within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legalholidays, after receipt of a written communication from the respondent orthe respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to thepetitioner; and

(6) notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannotbe obtained.

(c) Sections 454.850 to 454.997, do not create or negate arelationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship betweena support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and theindividual being assisted by the agency.

(L. 1996 H.B. 992, A.L. 1997 S.B. 361)

Effective 7-1-97