Can I Receive Child Support If My Ex Lives In A Different State?

Brad Micklin, a family lawyer in Nutley, answers:

Yes, you can collect child support even if your former spouse lives in a different state. Federal law allows the enforcement of child support across state lines. It also allows for remedies for non-payment of support and collection of support arrears, including, but not limited to: suspension of driver’s license or other professional licenses; suspension of passport; wage garnishment; and tax refund interception. You can typically enforce an order for child support in either the state that last entered an order regarding the support or the state in which the non-custodial parent now resides. You may also file an application to register a support order in the state in which you seek to enforce it.

Additionally, if your former spouse has moved out of state to avoid paying child support, he or she may face criminal charges as well.

Brad Micklin is a family lawyer in Nutley, NJ.