19-A M.R.S. §3320: Foreign support agreement

1. Recognition. Except as provided in subsections 3 and 4, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this State.

2. Requirements. An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied by:

A. A complete text of the foreign support agreement; and

B. A record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as a decision in the issuing foreign country.

3. Vacate registration. A tribunal of this State may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement only if, acting on its motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy.

4. Refusal of recognition and enforcement. In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of this State may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds:

A. Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy;

B. The agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;

C. 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

D. The record submitted under subsection 2, paragraph B lacks authenticity or integrity.

5. Suspension of proceeding. 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.