Long Arm Jurisdiction

Legal provision that permits one State to claim personal jurisdiction over someone who lives in another State. There must be some meaningful connection between the person and the State or district that is asserting jurisdiction in order for a court or agency to reach beyond its normal jurisdictional border. If a Long Arm Statute is not in effect between two States, then the State must undertake a Two-State Action under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) guidelines for certain actions, such as establishing a support order in which the non-custodial parent (NCP) is not a resident. Other actions, such as Direct Income Withholding, are allowed by UIFSA in such a way that neither a Two-State Action nor Long Arm Jurisdiction are required.

(See also: Two-State Action; Uniform Interstate Family Support Act)

Source: Office of Child Support Enforcement.

Legal provision that lets one state claim personal jurisdiction over someone that lives in another state. There must be some meaningful connection between the person and the state or district that is claiming jurisdiction in order for the authority of a court or agency to reach beyond its normal jurisdictional border.

Source: California Courts

Last reviewed October 2023