If my ex started a custody hearing can I move it? (From Washington to California)

Question

My ex went to court in Washington to get custody of my kids and ended up giving me main custody where as my kids are with me 10 months out of the year and they go with him for 2 months in the summer and he has to pay child support. He has not paid his support in 6 months and did not even take his visitation this summer and I am wondering if that could give me grounds to move the court hearing to california so I can take him to court for being in contempt of court? He has no contact with my children and I want to change the custody order but can not go all the way to Washington to do this. Any help would be very appreciated!

Answer 1

The hearing will most likely have to be held where the original order and custody hearing was held. Any changes would have to be approved by the issuing judicial court.

Your ex-husband can request a hearing anywhere he wants but without judicial authority it ain't gonna happen.  

Answer 2

Since you are living in California you have to file in the state that you reside in. By no means would you have to go to Washington to do any of this.  It all has to start from Cailifornia.  what you need to do is contact the child support agency in California and they will take care of the rest.  Because it is between states you need to let the state handle it.  You can have his paycheck garnished for the funds that he owes you, and the amount will go up because he would owe you back pay.  It's a lengthly process, but it' worth it for their benefit.  

Answer 3

This might sound rediculous but if you want to sue him to get the child support he refused to pay, you might consider going to one of the several television court shows.  This is because they uniquely are able to hear cases that are from any state.  However, both parties would have to agree to have it heard there, but you are also paid some money by the television studio for having your case heard there.