Back Child Support and Juristiction

[izerdiver]

My ex husband and I divorced in 1993 and in 1995 he moved out of state (various locations - but currently is in New Jersey). I also moved to Florida in 1995 with the children (where I currently live). The order was never moved or registered in another state.

He has paid a portion of child support through May of this year and then stopped paying totally (he has another year until the last child is emancipated).

I filed a Complaint for Civil contempt order in Massachusetts and last week went to the hearing. He was there with an attorney and they claimed that Massachusetts had no juristiction and would not hear the case. Unfortunately I did not have an attorney. I did consult with an attorney in Massachusetts afterewards and she thought they may have been correct and it would be easier for me to start all over in either Florida (where me and the children live) or New Jersey (where he lives).

My questions:

1) Is it correct that Massachusetts did not have juristriction?

2) I think in any case i have to register the divorce in Florida but would it be better to file the complaint in Florida or New Jersey (where it might be better able to be enforced since he lives there)?

Thanks so much