Ind. Code ch. 31-16-20

in effect

Ind. Code § 31-16-20-1 Application of chapter

Sec. 1. This chapter applies whenever: (1) there is pending in an Indiana court an order requiring a parent to make regular payments for the support of the parent's children: (A) subsequent to the dissolution of the marriage of the parents of the children; (B) as a result of a paternity action under IC 31-14 (or IC 31-6-6.1 before its repeal); (C) as a result of a legal separation action under IC 31-15-3; or (D) as a result of a child support action under IC 31-16-2; and (2) it is shown to the court in which the order is pending that: (A) the parent or other person rightfully having custody of the children is residing in a different county in Indiana from the county in which the: (i) dissolution; (ii) order under IC 31-14 (or IC 31-6-6.1 before its repeal); (iii) order under IC 31-15-3; or (iv) order under IC 31-16-2; was obtained; (B) the other parent of the children: (i) no longer resides; or (ii) is not regularly found; in the county in which the dissolution, order under IC 31-14 (or IC 31-6-6.1 before its repeal), order under IC 31-15-3, or order under IC 31-16-2 was obtained; and (C) it would be in the best interests of the children. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-2-7-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.197-1997, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 31-16-20-2 Order of transfer of proceedings

Sec. 2. The court may order the proceedings with: (1) all papers and files pertaining to the order for support; and (2) certified copies of all orders for support; transferred to the court having jurisdiction over such matters in the county in which the parent or other person having custody of the children is residing. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-2-7-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 31-16-20-3 Acceptance of proceedings by transferee court

Sec. 3. The court to which the proceedings are transferred: (1) shall accept the proceedings; and (2) thereafter has jurisdiction over the children and matters relating to their support by the parent so ordered. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-2-7-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 31-16-20-4 Docket; civil costs fee

Sec. 4. The proceedings that are transferred shall be docketed as other civil matters are docketed, and a civil costs fee as provided in IC 33-37-4-4 shall be collected. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-2-7-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.98-2004, SEC.102.

Ind. Code § 31-16-20-5 Hearing requirement; contents of petition; notice

Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in section 6 of this chapter, the order for the transfer of the proceedings may be made only after a hearing is held on a petition filed by or on behalf of the parent or other person having custody of the children. (b) The petition must: (1) set forth: (A) the facts upon which the petition is based; and (B) the reasons for requesting the transfer of the proceedings; and (2) be verified. (c) Notice shall be issued on the petition to the other parent notifying the other parent of: (1) the pendency of the petition; and (2) the time and place where the hearing will be heard. (d) The hearing court shall: (1) advance the hearing on the docket; and (2) promptly hold the hearing. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-2-7-2(a).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 31-16-20-6 Transfer without notice and hearing

Sec. 6. A court may enter an order for transfer of the proceedings without notice and a hearing if the petition required under section 5 of this chapter is: (1) a joint petition; and (2) filed on behalf of and verified by: (A) the custodial parent or a person having custody of the children; and (B) the noncustodial parent. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-2-7-2(b).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 31-16-20-7 Application of chapter; multiple transfers

Sec. 7. (a) This chapter applies to proceedings pending in: (1) the court in which the dissolution was obtained; or (2) any other court to which the proceedings have been transferred. (b) Any number of transfers may be made, as the best interests of the children require. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-2-7-3.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026