can they take 1/2 my wages?

I live in San Diego county..my ex-wife lives in arizona...L.A. county is taking half my wages for back support in arizona..
My question..why is L.A. garnishing my wages? Do they have a right?
How do I get it lowered to a Decent amount w/out huge lawyer fees?
Is this happening to anyone else?
HELP

i hate to tell you this but my boyfriend and i live in indiana and he is about finished with a very messy divorce. his exwife got out of prison in november and in december she got custody of the 3 kids. we were shocked! he raised them for a year while she did time for embezeling money. he had no prior convictions and is a loving dad. she got a job from a friend making minimum wage so we had to contribute more. right now we are paying maintenance (wich will end when the divorce is final) and child support and after taxes she makes 100$ more per week than he does. and we are not behind on payments. good luck. i am a women but i am SICK of women who get a divorce and are just out to bury the man.

More bad news!

Federal law states that your wages can't be garnished for more than 65% of your net disposible wages. My husband's income at one point was being garnished by 59%, for current support, back support and medical support.

The reason one state is allowed to garnish from your wages is called the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), California implemented it in Jan. of 1997.

To rookie....Did they do any kind of calculations to arive at the 59% figure?
I recieved a notice from my job saying they were Garnishing 50% of my pay. Then about 3 weeks later I get some leagal papers that I totaly do-not understand.
My biggest confusion is why L.A. county can do this while I live in San Diego! It would seem that if the state of Ariz. wanted me they would go through the county where I live. I know I need to get a lawyer, (Ican't really afford one especially now )I just don't know if I should get one Here (SD) or LA? Or if I can have the whole mess transfered to S.D. Terdad