Decreto n.º 1/2001

Artigo 1.º

Objecto

O presente Acordo tem por objecto:

a)A cobrança ou o reembolso de alimentos que o credor ou o organismo público que tenha assegurado a sua prestação num Estado Contratante (daqui por diante designado como credor) tem direito relativamente a um devedor que se encontre sob a jurisdição do outro Estado Contratante (daqui por diante designado por devedor), desde que a obrigação de alimentos se encontre prevista na lei;
b)O reconhecimento e a execução das decisões sobre prestação de alimentos, reembolso e acordos (daqui por diante designados por decisões sobre prestações de alimentos) proferidos e reconhecidos em qualquer Estado Contratante; e
c)A instauração e acompanhamento de acções destinadas à determinação da maternidade e paternidade sempre que forem necessárias para o estabelecimento de obrigações alimentares.

Artigo 2.º

Âmbito de aplicação

1 -Este Acordo aplica-se às prestações de alimentos derivadas da lei e provenientes de relação familiar entre pais e filhos, relações entre cônjuges ou ex-cônjuges ou, nos casos reconhecidos na lei, a pessoas que vivem ou viveram em união de facto, e inclui as obrigações alimentares a filhos cujos progenitores não casaram. Quando não haja filhos, as obrigações alimentares devidas a cônjuges ou ex-cônjuges, ou a pessoas que vivem ou viveram em união de facto, serão executadas, nos Estados Unidos, nos termos deste Acordo, somente nos Estados e em outras jurisdições dos Estados Unidos da América que assim o acordem.
2 -Este Acordo aplica-se à cobrança dos montantes em dívida que decorram de uma decisão em vigor sobre prestações de alimentos e quaisquer juros aplicáveis à dívida, bem como a modificações, variações ou outras alterações oficiais relativamente a montantes em débito que se verifiquem por via de uma decisão sobre prestações de alimentos em vigor.
3 -As provisões do presente Acordo não constituem o único meio de solução e não obstam o recurso a outros instrumentos para a execução de prestações de alimentos em vigor, segundo a lei de cada um dos Estados Contratantes, nem obstam a que os Estados Contratantes sejam parte de outros acordos internacionais sobre a mesma matéria.

Artigo 3.º

Autoridades centrais

1 -Cada Estado Contratante designará um organismo público como autoridade central, a qual será encarregada de dar cumprimento às disposições do presente Acordo.
2 -A autoridade central para Portugal será a Direcção-Geral dos Serviços Judiciários.
3 -A autoridade central para os Estados Unidos será o Office of Child Support Enforcement do Department of Health and Human Services, autorizada pelo título IV-D da Lei de Segurança Social.
4 -Os Estados Contratantes poderão designar um organismo público adicional encarregado de executar as disposições do presente Acordo em coordenação com a autoridade central.
5 -Quaisquer alterações na designação da autoridade central ou de outro organismo público de um Estado Contratante serão imediatamente comunicadas à autoridade central ou ao organismo público do outro Estado Contratante que seja designado por esse Estado Contratante.
6 -As comunicações deverão ser efectuadas pela autoridade central ou outro organismo público de um Estado Contratante directamente para a autoridade central ou outro organismo público competente do outro Estado Contratante que seja designado por esse Estado Contratante.

Artigo 4.º

Pedidos e transmissão de documentos

1 -O pedido para a cobrança ou reembolso de alimentos apresentado contra um devedor sujeito à jurisdição dos Estados Contratantes (daqui por diante designado como Estado requerido) será efectuado pela autoridade central ou outro organismo público designado pelo outro Estado Contratante (daqui por diante designado como Estado requerente), de acordo com o regime processual aplicável no Estado requerente.
2 -O requerimento será apresentado através de um formulário bilingue, acordado pelas autoridades centrais de ambos os Estados Contratantes, e será acompanhado por todos os documentos considerados relevantes, documentos esses que serão traduzidos para a língua do Estado requerido.
3 -A autoridade central ou outro organismo público designado pelo Estado requerente enviará os documentos referidos nos n.os 2 e 5 deste artigo à autoridade central ou a outro organismo público designado pelo Estado requerido.
4 -Antes de enviar o processo ao Estado requerido, a autoridade central ou o organismo público designado pelo Estado Requerente deverá assegurar-se de que o mesmo está de acordo com a lei do Estado requerente e com os termos do presente Acordo.
5 -Quando o pedido é baseado numa decisão ou os documentos apresentados incluam uma decisão de um tribunal competente ou de um organismo administrativo igualmente competente que tenha estabelecido a maternidade e paternidade ou ordenado a prestação de alimentos:
1. a)A autoridade central do Estado requerente deverá enviar cópia certificada ou autenticada de acordo com as exigências do Estado requerido;
2. b)A decisão será acompanhada de declaração de trânsito em julgado ou, se esta ainda não tiver carácter definitivo, declaração de que é executável, bem como comprovativo de que o requerido compareceu em juízo ou foi notificado para comparecer e que teve possibilidade de ser ouvido;
3. c)A autoridade central ou o organismo designado pelo Estado requerente deverá notificar a autoridade ou o organismo público designado pelo Estado requerido sobre qualquer modificação ulterior relativa a qualquer montante a ser executado, em conformidade com a decisão.
6 -Para cumprir as incumbências decorrentes deste Acordo, os Estados Contratantes providenciarão entre si assistência e informação dentro dos limites da respectiva legislação e nos termos de quaisquer tratados sobre assistência judiciária em vigor entre os Estados Contratantes.
7 -Todos os documentos transmitidos nos termos deste Acordo estarão isentos de legalização.

Artigo 5.º

Funções da autoridade central do Estado requerido

A autoridade central ou outro organismo público do Estado requerido deverá tomar, em nome do credor, todas as medidas apropriadas visando a cobrança ou reembolso dos alimentos, incluindo a instauração de processos e diligências judiciais relativas a alimentos, a determinação da maternidade e paternidade, quando previamente necessária, a execução de qualquer decisão judicial ou administrativa e a cobrança e distribuição dos pagamentos obtidos.

Artigo 6.º

Custas do processo

Todos os procedimentos descritos neste Acordo, incluindo os serviços prestados pela autoridade central e a necessária assistência legal e administrativa, serão assegurados ao credor pelo Estado requerido, sem custas para a parte. Os custos de teste de sangue ou de tecidos para determinação da maternidade e paternidade serão suportados pelo Estado Contratante em que o procedimento tiver lugar. Qualquer dos Estados Contratantes pode tributar custas contra o devedor que compareça nessa jurisdição.

Artigo 7.º

Reconhecimento e execução de decisões em matéria de alimentos

1 -As decisões em matéria de alimentos, incluindo as que são subsequentes à determinação da maternidade e paternidade, provenientes de um Estado Contratante serão reconhecidas e executadas no outro Estado Contratante na medida em que os factos subjacentes o permitam, tendo em conta as leis substantiva e processual deste último Estado Contratante.
2 -As decisões alimentares tomadas na ausência do requerido em juízo serão consideradas como incluídas nos termos do n.º 1 se se provar que o mesmo foi notificado para comparecer e que teve a possibilidade de ser ouvido, nas condições que satisfaçam as normas do Estado requerido.

Artigo 8.º

Lei aplicável

1 -Todas as acções e diligências intentadas nos termos do presente Acordo por cada um dos Estados Contratantes deverão ser executadas segundo a lei interna, incluindo a escolha da lei aplicável, e segundo as normas processuais desse Estado Contratante.
2 -Nos termos deste Acordo, a presença do menor ou de quem exerce o poder paternal não será exigida no Estado requerido no decurso dos procedimentos e acções instauradas por aplicação deste Acordo.

Artigo 9.º

Aplicação territorial

1 -Em Portugal, este Acordo aplicar-se-á a todo o território nacional.
2 -Nos Estados Unidos, este Acordo aplicar-se-á nos 50 Estados, na Samoa Americana, no Distrito Federal de Columbia, em Guam, Porto Rico, Ilhas Virgens Americanas e em todas as jurisdições incluídas no título IV-D da Lei de Segurança Social.

Artigo 10.º

Entrada em vigor

1 -Este Acordo entrará em vigor 30 dias após a última data na qual os Estados Contratantes se derem conhecimento recíproco por escrito, por via diplomática, de que foram cumpridos os requisitos necessários previstos na sua ordem interna para a entrada em vigor do Acordo.
2 -Este Acordo aplicar-se-á a todas as decisões em matéria de alimentos que estejam por executar ou a todos os pagamentos que venham a ser exigidos em virtude destas decisões, qualquer que seja a sua data.

Artigo 11.º

Disposições finais

1 -Qualquer dos Estados Contratantes pode denunciar o presente Acordo através da notificação por escrito dirigida ao outro Estado Contratante através do adequado canal diplomático.
2 -A denúncia terá efeitos a partir do primeiro dia do terceiro mês seguinte à recepção da notificação.
3 -Se em qualquer dos Estados Contratantes a lei interna que autoriza a execução do programa nos termos deste Acordo cessar a sua vigência no todo ou em parte, qualquer dos Estados Contratantes pode suspender a aplicação deste Acordo ou, com o consentimento do outro Estado Contratante, alguma parte do mesmo. Neste caso, os Estados Contratantes procurarão por todos os meios, de acordo com a lei interna, minimizar os efeitos desfavoráveis no contínuo reconhecimento e reforço da manutenção das obrigações incluídas neste Acordo.
Em testemunho do qual, os signatários, devidamente autorizados para este efeito, assinam o presente Acordo.
Feito em Lisboa, em duplicado, nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa, sendo ambos os textos igualmente válidos, aos 30 dias do mês de Maio de 2000.
Pelo Governo da República Portuguesa:
Jaime José Matos da Gama.
Pelo Governo dos Estados Unidos da América:
Madeleine Albright.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE RECOVERY OF MAINTENANCE.
The Government of Portugal and the Government of the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the Contracting States):
Believing in the need to pursue a policy of cooperation that strengthens increasingly friendly ties; and
Recognizing the impact of increasing contacts between nationals and residents of both countries and the subsequent establishment of family relationships which may include children whose parents did not marry and common-law spouses; and
Understanding the importance the recovery of maintenance may have for the individuals involved in such relationships; and
Recognizing the common interest and the advantages of establishing a uniform and effective system for the recovery of maintenance, for the recognition and enforcement of decisions based on these maintenance obligations, and for the taking of appropriate steps for the determination of maternity and paternity where necessary:
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Objective
The objective of the agreement is to provide for:
1. a)The recovery of maintenance or the reimbursement of maintenance to which a maintenance creditor or a public body having provided benefits for a maintenance creditor in one Contracting State (hereinafter referred to as the claimant) is entitled from a maintenance debtor who is subject to the jurisdiction of the other Contracting State (hereinafter referred to as the respondent), when the maintenance obligation is provided for by law;
2. b)The recognition and enforcement of maintenance orders, reimbursement orders and settlements (hereinafter referred to as maintenance decisions) made or recognized in either Contracting State; and
3. c)The institution of and assistance in proceedings for the determination of maternity and paternity as may be required for the establishment of the maintenance obligation.
  Article 2
  Scope
1 -This Agreement shall apply to maintenance obligations, as provided by the law, and arising from a family relationship of parents and children, a relationship between spouses and former spouses or, where recognized by law, common-law spouses and former common-law spouses, and including a maintenance obligation towards a child whose parents did not marry. In any case where there are no children, a maintenance obligation towards a spouse or former spouse of common-law spouse or former common-law spouse will be enforced in the United States under this Agreement only in those states and other jurisdictions of the United States that elect to do so.
2 -This Agreement applies to the collection of payment arrears on a valid maintenance obligation and any applicable interest on arrears and to the modifications, variations or other official change in amounts due under an existing maintenance decision.
3 -The remedies provided for in this Agreement are not exclusive and do not affect the availability of any other remedies for the enforcement of a valid maintenance obligation under the law of either Contracting State nor do they preclude the Contracting States from entering into international agreements addressing these issues.
Article 3
Central Authorities
1 -Each Contracting State shall designate a public body as Central Authority, which shall facilitate compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.
2 -The Central Authority for Portugal shall be the Directorate General of Judiciary Services.
3 -The Central Authority for the United States shall be the Office of Child Support Enforcement in the Department of Health and Human Services, as authorized by title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
4 -The Contracting States may designate additional public bodies to carry out any of the provisions of this Agreement in coordination with the Central Authority.
5 -Any changes in the designation of the Central Authority or other public bodies by one Contracting State shall be communicated immediately to the Central Authority or other public body of the other Contracting State as designated by that Contracting State.
6 -Communications shall be addressed by the Central Authority or other public body of one Contracting State directly to the Central Authority or other responsible public body of the other Contracting State as designated by that Contracting State.
Article 4
Applications and transmission of documents
1 -An application for the recovery or reimbursement of maintenance from a respondent subject to the jurisdiction of the Contracting States (hereinafter the Requested State) shall be made by the Central Authority or other designated public body of the other Contracting State (hereinafter the Requesting State), in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Requesting State.
2 -The application shall be made on a standard bilingual form to be agreed upon by the Central Authorities of both Contracting States, and shall be accompanied by all relevant documents. All documents shall be translated in the language of the Requested State.
3 -The Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requesting State shall transmit the documents referred to in numbers 2 and 5 of this article to the Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requested State.
4 -Before transmitting the documents to the Requested State, the Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requesting State shall satisfy itself that they comply with the law of the Requesting State and the requirements of this Agreement.
5 -When the application is based on or the documents include a decision issued by a competent court or agency establishing maternity and paternity or for the payment of maintenance:
1. a)The Central Authority of the Requesting State shall transmit a copy of the decision certified or verified in accordance with the requirements of the Requested State;
2. b)The decision shall be accompanied by a statement of finality or, if not final, a statement or enforceability and by evidence that the respondent has appeared in the proceedings or has been given notice and an opportunity to appear;
3. c)The Central Authority or other designated public body or the Requesting State shall notify the Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requested State of any subsequent change by operation of law in any amount required to be enforced under the decisions.
6 -In carrying our their tasks under this Agreement, the Contracting States shall provide each other assistance and information within the limits of their respective laws, and consistent with any treaties related to judicial assistance in force between the Contracting States.
7 -All documents transmitted under this Agreement shall be exempt from legalization.
Article 5
Functions of the Central Authority of the Requested State
The Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requested State shall take on behalf of the claimant all appropriate steps for the recovery or reimbursement of maintenance, including the institution and prosecution of proceedings for maintenance, the determination of maternity and paternity where necessary, the execution of any judicial or administrative decision and the collection and distribution of payments collected.
Article 6
Cost of services
All procedures described in this Agreement, including services of the Central Authority, and necessary legal and administrative assistance, shall be provided by the Requested State without cost to the claimant. The costs of testing blood or tissue for maternity and paternity determinations shall be borne by the Contracting State in which the proceeding takes place. A Contracting State may assess costs against the respondent appearing in that jurisdiction.
Article 7
Recognition and enforcement of maintenance decisions
1 -Maintenance decisions, including maintenance decisions arising from a determination of maternity and paternity, from one Contracting State shall be recognized and enforced in the other Contracting State to the extent that the facts in the case support recognition and enforcement under the applicable laws and procedures of the latter Contracting State.
2 -Maintenance decisions made after the failure of the respondent to appear in the proceedings shall be considered as decisions under number 1 if it is demonstrated that notice had been given and the opportunity to be heard had been afforded in a way to satisfy the standards of the Requested State.
Article 8
Applicable law
1 -All actions and proceedings under this Agreement by either Contracting State shall be carried out pursuant to the domestic law including choice of law provisions and procedures of that Contracting State.
2 -The physical presence of the child or custodial parent shall not be required under this Agreement in proceedings in the Requested State.
Article 9
Geographical applicability
1 -For Portugal, this Agreement shall apply to all national territory.
2 -For the United States, this Agreement shall apply to the fifty states, American Samoa, the district of Colombia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and any other jurisdiction of the United States participating in title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
Article 10
Entry into force
1 -This Agreement shall enter into force 30 days after the later of the dates on which Contracting State has been notified in writing through the diplomatic channel that the legal requirements under domestic law for entry into force have been fulfilled.
2 -This Agreement shall apply to any outstanding maintenance decision, or payment accrued under such decision, regardless of the date of that decision.
Article 11
Final provisions
1 -Either Contracting State may terminate this Agreement by a notification in writing addressed to the other Contracting State through the diplomatic channel.
2 -The termination shall take effect on the first day of the third month following the receipt of the notification.
3 -In the event that the domestic legal authority of either Contracting State to carry out its obligations under this Agreement ceases, in whole or in part, either Contracting State may suspend application of the Agreement, or with the agreement of the other Contracting State, any part of the Agreement. In that event, the Contracting States will seek, to the fullest extend practicable in accordance with domestic law, to minimize unfavorable effects on the continuing recognition and enforcement of maintenance obligations covered by this Agreement.
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Lisboa, in duplicate, in the portuguese and english languages, both of which are equally authentic, on this day of May 2000.
For the Government of the Portuguese Republic:
Jaime José Matos da Gama.
For the Government of the United States of America:
Madeleine Albright.

Artigo 11.º

Disposições finais

1 -Qualquer dos Estados Contratantes pode denunciar o presente Acordo através da notificação por escrito dirigida ao outro Estado Contratante através do adequado canal diplomático.
2 -A denúncia terá efeitos a partir do primeiro dia do terceiro mês seguinte à recepção da notificação.
3 -Se em qualquer dos Estados Contratantes a lei interna que autoriza a execução do programa nos termos deste Acordo cessar a sua vigência no todo ou em parte, qualquer dos Estados Contratantes pode suspender a aplicação deste Acordo ou, com o consentimento do outro Estado Contratante, alguma parte do mesmo. Neste caso, os Estados Contratantes procurarão por todos os meios, de acordo com a lei interna, minimizar os efeitos desfavoráveis no contínuo reconhecimento e reforço da manutenção das obrigações incluídas neste Acordo.
Em testemunho do qual, os signatários, devidamente autorizados para este efeito, assinam o presente Acordo.
Feito em Lisboa, em duplicado, nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa, sendo ambos os textos igualmente válidos, aos 30 dias do mês de Maio de 2000.
Pelo Governo da República Portuguesa:
Jaime José Matos da Gama.
Pelo Governo dos Estados Unidos da América:
Madeleine Albright.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE RECOVERY OF MAINTENANCE.
The Government of Portugal and the Government of the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the Contracting States):
Believing in the need to pursue a policy of cooperation that strengthens increasingly friendly ties; and
Recognizing the impact of increasing contacts between nationals and residents of both countries and the subsequent establishment of family relationships which may include children whose parents did not marry and common-law spouses; and
Understanding the importance the recovery of maintenance may have for the individuals involved in such relationships; and
Recognizing the common interest and the advantages of establishing a uniform and effective system for the recovery of maintenance, for the recognition and enforcement of decisions based on these maintenance obligations, and for the taking of appropriate steps for the determination of maternity and paternity where necessary:
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Objective
The objective of the agreement is to provide for:
1. a)The recovery of maintenance or the reimbursement of maintenance to which a maintenance creditor or a public body having provided benefits for a maintenance creditor in one Contracting State (hereinafter referred to as the claimant) is entitled from a maintenance debtor who is subject to the jurisdiction of the other Contracting State (hereinafter referred to as the respondent), when the maintenance obligation is provided for by law;
2. b)The recognition and enforcement of maintenance orders, reimbursement orders and settlements (hereinafter referred to as maintenance decisions) made or recognized in either Contracting State; and
3. c)The institution of and assistance in proceedings for the determination of maternity and paternity as may be required for the establishment of the maintenance obligation.
  Article 2
  Scope
1 -This Agreement shall apply to maintenance obligations, as provided by the law, and arising from a family relationship of parents and children, a relationship between spouses and former spouses or, where recognized by law, common-law spouses and former common-law spouses, and including a maintenance obligation towards a child whose parents did not marry. In any case where there are no children, a maintenance obligation towards a spouse or former spouse of common-law spouse or former common-law spouse will be enforced in the United States under this Agreement only in those states and other jurisdictions of the United States that elect to do so.
2 -This Agreement applies to the collection of payment arrears on a valid maintenance obligation and any applicable interest on arrears and to the modifications, variations or other official change in amounts due under an existing maintenance decision.
3 -The remedies provided for in this Agreement are not exclusive and do not affect the availability of any other remedies for the enforcement of a valid maintenance obligation under the law of either Contracting State nor do they preclude the Contracting States from entering into international agreements addressing these issues.
Article 3
Central Authorities
1 -Each Contracting State shall designate a public body as Central Authority, which shall facilitate compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.
2 -The Central Authority for Portugal shall be the Directorate General of Judiciary Services.
3 -The Central Authority for the United States shall be the Office of Child Support Enforcement in the Department of Health and Human Services, as authorized by title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
4 -The Contracting States may designate additional public bodies to carry out any of the provisions of this Agreement in coordination with the Central Authority.
5 -Any changes in the designation of the Central Authority or other public bodies by one Contracting State shall be communicated immediately to the Central Authority or other public body of the other Contracting State as designated by that Contracting State.
6 -Communications shall be addressed by the Central Authority or other public body of one Contracting State directly to the Central Authority or other responsible public body of the other Contracting State as designated by that Contracting State.
Article 4
Applications and transmission of documents
1 -An application for the recovery or reimbursement of maintenance from a respondent subject to the jurisdiction of the Contracting States (hereinafter the Requested State) shall be made by the Central Authority or other designated public body of the other Contracting State (hereinafter the Requesting State), in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Requesting State.
2 -The application shall be made on a standard bilingual form to be agreed upon by the Central Authorities of both Contracting States, and shall be accompanied by all relevant documents. All documents shall be translated in the language of the Requested State.
3 -The Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requesting State shall transmit the documents referred to in numbers 2 and 5 of this article to the Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requested State.
4 -Before transmitting the documents to the Requested State, the Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requesting State shall satisfy itself that they comply with the law of the Requesting State and the requirements of this Agreement.
5 -When the application is based on or the documents include a decision issued by a competent court or agency establishing maternity and paternity or for the payment of maintenance:
1. a)The Central Authority of the Requesting State shall transmit a copy of the decision certified or verified in accordance with the requirements of the Requested State;
2. b)The decision shall be accompanied by a statement of finality or, if not final, a statement or enforceability and by evidence that the respondent has appeared in the proceedings or has been given notice and an opportunity to appear;
3. c)The Central Authority or other designated public body or the Requesting State shall notify the Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requested State of any subsequent change by operation of law in any amount required to be enforced under the decisions.
6 -In carrying our their tasks under this Agreement, the Contracting States shall provide each other assistance and information within the limits of their respective laws, and consistent with any treaties related to judicial assistance in force between the Contracting States.
7 -All documents transmitted under this Agreement shall be exempt from legalization.
Article 5
Functions of the Central Authority of the Requested State
The Central Authority or other designated public body of the Requested State shall take on behalf of the claimant all appropriate steps for the recovery or reimbursement of maintenance, including the institution and prosecution of proceedings for maintenance, the determination of maternity and paternity where necessary, the execution of any judicial or administrative decision and the collection and distribution of payments collected.
Article 6
Cost of services
All procedures described in this Agreement, including services of the Central Authority, and necessary legal and administrative assistance, shall be provided by the Requested State without cost to the claimant. The costs of testing blood or tissue for maternity and paternity determinations shall be borne by the Contracting State in which the proceeding takes place. A Contracting State may assess costs against the respondent appearing in that jurisdiction.
Article 7
Recognition and enforcement of maintenance decisions
1 -Maintenance decisions, including maintenance decisions arising from a determination of maternity and paternity, from one Contracting State shall be recognized and enforced in the other Contracting State to the extent that the facts in the case support recognition and enforcement under the applicable laws and procedures of the latter Contracting State.
2 -Maintenance decisions made after the failure of the respondent to appear in the proceedings shall be considered as decisions under number 1 if it is demonstrated that notice had been given and the opportunity to be heard had been afforded in a way to satisfy the standards of the Requested State.
Article 8
Applicable law
1 -All actions and proceedings under this Agreement by either Contracting State shall be carried out pursuant to the domestic law including choice of law provisions and procedures of that Contracting State.
2 -The physical presence of the child or custodial parent shall not be required under this Agreement in proceedings in the Requested State.
Article 9
Geographical applicability
1 -For Portugal, this Agreement shall apply to all national territory.
2 -For the United States, this Agreement shall apply to the fifty states, American Samoa, the district of Colombia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and any other jurisdiction of the United States participating in title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
Article 10
Entry into force
1 -This Agreement shall enter into force 30 days after the later of the dates on which Contracting State has been notified in writing through the diplomatic channel that the legal requirements under domestic law for entry into force have been fulfilled.
2 -This Agreement shall apply to any outstanding maintenance decision, or payment accrued under such decision, regardless of the date of that decision.
Article 11
Final provisions
1 -Either Contracting State may terminate this Agreement by a notification in writing addressed to the other Contracting State through the diplomatic channel.
2 -The termination shall take effect on the first day of the third month following the receipt of the notification.
3 -In the event that the domestic legal authority of either Contracting State to carry out its obligations under this Agreement ceases, in whole or in part, either Contracting State may suspend application of the Agreement, or with the agreement of the other Contracting State, any part of the Agreement. In that event, the Contracting States will seek, to the fullest extend practicable in accordance with domestic law, to minimize unfavorable effects on the continuing recognition and enforcement of maintenance obligations covered by this Agreement.
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Lisboa, in duplicate, in the portuguese and english languages, both of which are equally authentic, on this day of May 2000.
For the Government of the Portuguese Republic:
Jaime José Matos da Gama.
For the Government of the United States of America:
Madeleine Albright.