Legal Question in Family Law in Iowa

I need help. I need to know what state has jurisdiciton for my son's child support. First let me give you some background.

1993: my son was born in TN

1994: I was divorced in TN, divorce and child support was determined in TN

1994: My son and I moved to St. Louis , MO

1999: I filed a Foreign Judgment in St. Louis , MO (2199FC-08972)

I thought this meant that jurisdiction over child support was moved to St. Louis County

2004: My son and I moved to West Des Moines , IA

My ex husband still lives in TN. He is currently going through the State of TN Department of Human Services for a modification. I didn�t think that TN had jurisdiction. I thought that MO or IA would have jurisdiction. I called the person in TN at the Human Services office. He basically said that TN had jurisdiction. When I said No I don't think so, he said it was up to me to proof that TN didn't have jurisdiction.

So I'm looking for some help.

What state currently has jurisdiciton?

Would I be better off to change jurisdiction to IA?

How would I do that cheaply, I'm currently out of work?

Is TN, IA or MO going to use the same calculation in determining child support, so does it really even matter?

Thank you so much!!!!

Connie Mills


Asked on 9/09/09, 11:38 am

2 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Since you meet the residency requirement in Iowa it would be to your advantage to go ahead and file for that in Iowa. I agree with brother Linehan about the services of a knowledgeable attorney. You will require the services of a competent attorney however that works out for you. For the most part child support should be close, but in order to make that determination for yourself look here:

http://www.divorceandwomen.com/child_support.html

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Answered on 9/10/09, 11:19 am


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