Can a Court in Another State Impose Child Support on Me?

In the case of Louisiana ex rel. Eaton v. Leis, 120 Wis. 2d 271, 354 N.W.2d 209 (Ct. App. 1984), a father was awarded custody during a divorce in Wisconsin. Custody then reverted to the mother in Louisiana. She pursued child support from her state, and the father appeared in court in Wisconsin. The court concluded that it did not have subject matter jurisdiction due to its having gave custody to the father. The wife appealed, and the decision was reversed. Despite the confusion of vested authority on subject matter jurisdiction, the responsibility to pay support after a claim was filed lands on any non-custodial parent regardless of state.

References: Eaton v. Leis, (1984)