§ 19-11-133.Personal jurisdiction
Chapter 11. Enforcement of Duty of Support · Article 3. Uniform Interstate Family Support Act · Part 3. Civil Provisions · Last amended 2013 · Last verified October 9, 2026
Full Text of § 19-11-133
Plain-English Summary
A parent in another state may hesitate to seek support through a Georgia tribunal for fear of being pulled into other litigation there. This section removes two of those risks for the petitioner.
First, under subsection (a), a petitioner’s participation in a proceeding before a responding tribunal does not confer personal jurisdiction over the petitioner in another proceeding. That holds whether the petitioner takes part in person, through a private attorney, or through the services of the support enforcement agency. Second, under subsection (b), a petitioner is not amenable to service of civil process while physically present in Georgia to participate in a proceeding under the act. So the petitioner can’t be handed a summons in some other lawsuit while in Georgia for the case, subject to one exception.
Subsection (c) draws the limit. The immunity does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to the support proceeding that a party commits while physically present in Georgia to participate in it. If a party causes harm in Georgia while there for the hearing, a lawsuit over that conduct isn’t blocked by this section.
Note who is protected: subsections (a) and (b) speak of the “petitioner.” A related protection appears in § 19-11-103(b)(2), which says the article does not give a Georgia tribunal jurisdiction to rule on child custody or visitation in a proceeding under it. The section was last amended in 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I file for child support in Georgia, can my ex sue me there for other things?
Not on the strength of your participation. Under subsection (a), taking part as a petitioner before a Georgia responding tribunal does not confer personal jurisdiction over you in another proceeding. And § 19-11-103(b)(2) says the interstate support article doesn’t give a Georgia tribunal jurisdiction over custody or visitation in a proceeding under it. This section addresses only jurisdiction arising from your participation.
Can I be served with court papers while I’m in Georgia for a support hearing?
Generally no, if you are the petitioner. Subsection (b) says a petitioner is not amenable to service of civil process while physically present in Georgia to participate in a proceeding under the act. The exception in subsection (c): the immunity doesn’t cover civil litigation based on unrelated acts a party commits while in Georgia for the proceeding.
Does using the state child support agency count as participating?
Yes. Subsection (a) covers participation in person, by private attorney, or through services provided by the support enforcement agency. However the petitioner takes part, that participation does not confer personal jurisdiction over the petitioner in another proceeding. Working through the agency gives the same protection as appearing in person.
Does this protection apply to the parent being asked to pay?
The protections in subsections (a) and (b) are written for the “petitioner” — the person who brings the proceeding. The section doesn’t extend them to the respondent. Whether a Georgia tribunal has jurisdiction over a nonresident respondent is governed by other sections, such as § 19-11-110.
Are there limits to a petitioner’s immunity in Georgia?
Yes. Subsection (c) says the immunity does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to the support proceeding that a party commits while physically present in Georgia to participate in it. Conduct during the visit that has nothing to do with the case can still lead to a lawsuit.
Amendment History
Laws 1997, p. 1613, § 33; Laws 2013, Act 224, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013.