(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d), a tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this state. (b) An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied by: (1) A complete text of the foreign support agreement; and (2) A record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as an order of support in the issuing country. (c) A tribunal of this state may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement only if, acting on its own motion; the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy. (d) In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of this state may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds: (1) Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy; (2) The agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification; (3) The agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose in this state, another state, or a foreign country if obtained by fraud or falsification; (3) The agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose in this state, another state, or a foreign country if the support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in this state; or (4) The record submitted under subsection (b) lacks authenticity or integrity. (e) A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal of the agreement before a tribunal of another state or a foreign country. History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 243, § 3; P.L. 2011, ch. 263, § 3.
Rhode Island Legal Code