The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act is a law that governs how child support orders are established and enforced across state lines. It ensures that only one valid support order exists at any given time.
Do all states follow the UIFSA?
Yes, every state has adopted UIFSA. When more than one state's laws may apply to a child support matter, UIFSA helps courts determine which state laws apply and which state has jurisdiction over the order.
How might the UIFSA affect your divorce?
The UIFSA may seem like a complex piece of legislation, but its direct impact on your divorce cannot be overstated. Let's break it down.
If you and your ex-spouse live in different states, the UIFSA comes into play. It guides the enforcement of child support orders so that, regardless of where you or your ex-spouse live, there's a consistent legal framework in place. The UIFSA may provide:
Enforcement across state lines
For instance, if your ex moves to another state after your divorce and refuses to pay child support, the UIFSA allows the enforcement of your support order in their new state. You don't have to go through the hassle of filing for enforcement in the new state; the UIFSA will streamline this process for you.
Certainty about which order is valid
The UIFSA helps avoid confusion about child support by making sure that only one valid support order exists at any given time. For example, if multiple orders were issued in different states, the UIFSA would dictate which order from which state is the controlling order.
Clarify about support modification
Modification of a support order is possible after divorce. But the rules for modification can be complex, and they depend on who seeks the modification and where everyone lives. The UIFSA can help with confusion over modifications, too.
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