Virginia Code 20-88.83: Definitions
As used in this article:
Terms Used In Virginia Code 20-88.83
- Central authority: means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in § 20-88. See Virginia Code 20-88.83
- Includes: means includes, but not limited to. See Virginia Code 1-218
- United States: includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States Virgin Islands. See Virginia Code 1-255
“Application” means a request under the Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance by an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority.
“Central authority” means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in § 20-88.32 to perform the functions specified in the Convention.
“Convention support order” means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in § 20-88.32.
“Direct request” means a petition or similar pleading filed by an individual in a tribunal of the Commonwealth in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United States.
“Foreign central authority” means the entity designated by a foreign country described in § 20-88.32 to perform the functions specified in the Convention.
“Foreign support agreement” means an agreement for support in a record that (i) is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin; (ii) has been formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal or authenticated by or concluded, registered, or filed with a foreign tribunal; and (iii) may be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal. “Foreign support agreement” includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the Convention.
“United States central authority” means the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2015, c. 727.