Child Support

questions & answers

Question: My ex is enrolled in a tribe here in arizona along with our 4 children (i am not enrolled with the tribe). He has failed to pay child support for the past year. How do i enforce child support through the tribe? Is it possible?

Answer:

The following is provided as general legal information. To find out how the laws apply to your specific situation, you may want to contact an attorney directly.

Generally, Indian Tribes are sovereign, and therefore, abide by their own laws and jurisdiction. In addition, each tribe has its own laws and court procedures. However, a parent being enrolled in a Tribe does not necessarily mean that a child support order or case must be brought on Tribal land. If a child support order originates in State Court, it is possible to file a petition for contempt in the court where the order originated. If an order for support does not originate in State Court, then the laws of the tribe may apply. 

To find out how laws apply to a person's specific information, it may be helpful to contact an attorney directly.