When a parent moves out of state, child support can get complicated. You might wonder how payments will continue or if the court order still matters. The good news is there are laws that help families handle this situation.
Can child support follow someone across state lines?
Yes, it can. There’s a law called the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) that helps states work together on child support cases. It makes sure your state’s order can still be enforced even if the other parent lives far away. Every state follows UIFSA, which keeps things fair and consistent across the country.
Here’s what happens when one of you moves. The original state that issued your child support order keeps what’s called “continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.” This means only that particular state can make major changes to the order unless both parents move away or agree to let another state take over. This prevents confusion and stops different states from issuing competing orders.
Need to modify the order? Here’s how that works.
If you need to change the amount of support, the process depends on where both parents live. For example, if you stay in the original state and the other parent moves, you can still ask the court in your state to review or change the order. But if both of you leave the state where the order was first made, things will be different. You’ll likely need to register the order in your new state before making changes.
What if the other parent stops paying?
You don’t have to chase the other parent across state lines to enforce support. You can ask your local child support office or court to help. They’ll contact the other state and take steps to collect what’s owed. This might include taking money from paychecks, intercepting tax refunds, or even suspending a driver’s license.
A parent’s duty never stops, even across state lines
The most important thing to remember is this: child support doesn’t stop just because someone moves. It’s still a legal duty, and there are clear steps to follow to make sure your child gets what they need.
If you’re in this situation, talk to your local child support office or a family law attorney. They can guide you through the process and make sure your child stays protected, no matter where either parent lives.