UIFSA: The Law That Makes Your Order Follow Him Across State Lines

He moved to Nevada; your order did not stay behind. The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act makes one state’s order enforceable in all fifty — with the original state keeping control of the amount.

What California Law Says

UIFSA, adopted nationwide and codified in the Family Code, provides for direct interstate income withholding, registration of orders for enforcement in the payor’s new state, and continuing exclusive jurisdiction: only one controlling order exists, and modification authority stays with the issuing state while a parent or child remains there.

How to Collect, Step by Step

1. Keep California jurisdiction anchored — your continued residence preserves modification control here.
2. Send the income withholding order directly to his out-of-state employer; UIFSA authorizes it without registering anything.
3. Register the order in his new state for tools requiring local courts: contempt, levies, liens there.
4. Use DCSS interstate services — the agencies transmit cases through established channels.
5. Watch for his forum-shopping modification attempts in the new state; jurisdiction rules usually defeat them.

Common Questions

He says California lost power over him when he moved. True?

False — the controlling order remains California’s while you or the child live here, and his new state enforces it as written.

Do I have to hire a lawyer in his state?

Not necessarily — direct income withholding needs no local case at all, and DCSS interstate transmittals handle registration without private counsel.