Child Support Reduction Petition

by Billy from Palm Coast, Florida, Flagler County

Where do I file child support reduction petition if I live in Florida but case from Wisconsin? I live in Florida and need a reduction but my case is originally from Wisconsin where my daughter currently lives. Where and how do I file?

Answer to Florida Court Forms Question

Dear Billy,

All interstate child support cases are governed by a Federal law known as Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, (UIFSA).

Since your child support order originated in Wisconsin and your daughter resides in Wisconsin, jurisdiction remains in Wisconsin.

You need to contact the family court, agency, or tribunal in Wisconsin that handles child support and request a child support modification.

In Florida, a child support case can be reviewed once every three years (or more often if there has been a substantial change).

In your case, the modification of your child support is governed by Wisconsin guidelines and laws.

The following is additional information about UIFSA from Support Guidelines in an article by Laura W. Morgan:

In essence, the key concept in UIFSA is that of “continuing exclusive jurisdiction.” When a state issues an initial child support order, that state retains “continuing exclusive jurisdiction” to modify the order so long as either party or the children remain in the issuing state.

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