(a)  In proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage of a child, a tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual’s guardian or conservator if:

(1)  The individual is personally served within this state pursuant to the Rules of Domestic Relations;

(2)  The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent in a record, by entering a general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction;

(3)  The individual resided with the child in this state;

(4)  The individual resided in this state and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child;

(5)  The child resides in this state as a result of the acts or directives of the individual;

(6)  The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse;

(7)  The individual asserted parentage of a child by completing an affidavit of paternity in this state signed by both parents; or

(8)  There is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this state, and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.

divorce

Ask a divorce law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified divorce lawyers.
Specialties include: Family Law, Custody, Divorce, Child Support, Child Protection, Alimony, and more.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 15-23.1-201

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • United States: include the several states and the territories of the United States. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-8

(b)  The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in subsection (a) or in any other law of this state may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of this state to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of § 15-23.1-611 or, in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of § 15-23.1-615 are met.

History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 170, § 15; P.L. 2006, ch. 69, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 76, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 263, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 120, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 132, § 1.