Securing Personal Jurisdiction over Nonresidents in Spousal and Child Support Suits: Is California\u27s Long-Arm Too Short?

This Comment examines California\u27s approach to long-arm jurisdiction in familial support suits. The author begins by reviewing the basic jurisdictional principles and then explores the unique considerations of policy that are inherent in domestic relations litigation. The author suggests that California\u27s courts have failed to adequately consider the full panoply of interests that bear on the constitutionality of exercising jurisdiction over nonresidents for support. The author argues that, as a result, the reach of California\u27s long-arm statutes has been unduly restricted, and proposes a new familial relationship basis for jurisdiction in support actions