Arizona or California???

[hihopes]

My son lives in California. He wanted to marry his girlfriend when she got pregnant. She refused. She went on welfare, took my son to court to establish child support. My son had a lawyer but he didn't have a visitation hearing because he was out of money by the time he paid pro rated child support. She took the child and disapeared after 18 months. We used an internet search company to find her. She is in Arizona. A California attorney told my son he will have to get an attorney in Arizona if wants to go to court to get visitation. I talked to an attorney in Arizona today and he said that since the child support order was issued in California that we should get an attorney in California and make the mother come back for the hearning. This is so confusing. Does anyone know where we should hire the attorney and what is the best way to go about getting visitation and re-establishing my son's relationship with his son? We appreciate any and ALL advice!

 

[LegalBeagle]

My son lives in California. He wanted to marry his girlfriend when she got pregnant. She refused. She went on welfare, took my son to court to establish child support. My son had a lawyer but he didn't have a visitation hearing because he was out of money by the time he paid pro rated child support. She took the child and disapeared after 18 months. We used an internet search company to find her. She is in Arizona. A California attorney told my son he will have to get an attorney in Arizona if wants to go to court to get visitation. I talked to an attorney in Arizona today and he said that since the child support order was issued in California that we should get an attorney in California and make the mother come back for the hearning. This is so confusing. Does anyone know where we should hire the attorney and what is the best way to go about getting visitation and re-establishing my son's relationship with his son? We appreciate any and ALL advice!

You should first try CA since she effectively took the child out of state without permission. This should give you a little weight in the CA court.

 

[nookey]

check into the 'uniform child custody jurisdiction and enforcement act' this covers issues related to which states have jurisdiction over custody cases. Sorry, but i don't recall for sure if it covers your exact situation, but it gives a good overview of what the law is.
good luck,
nookey