Over 5,000.00 in back arrears

The facts are not terribly clear, but it looks like several things that could have been done are now simply too late -- for example, if the property sold without anyone recording a lien, a great opportunity for full collection is simply gone.  And you don't explain why you apparently took no action for 12 years to actually GET adequate support -- the system is set up to make it fairly straightforward, but the would-be recipient has to make the effort to actually collect sums owed. It is unclear who "they" are, but if you mean the D.A., yes, the bureaucracy takes forever, is inefficient, and often gets little or nothing in collections.  That is the trade off for a free service.  Hiring private counsel costs money, but is supposed to get you prompt and efficient action by someone who knows what he or she is doing and actually cares about getting it done.  That said, there may or may not be anything that CAN be done, depending on the facts. If you ex is is another state, allegedly unemployed, and not even receiving unemployment, the reality is that there may not be much that can be done at this moment (the blood-out-of-a-stone thing).  Obviously, if you think any of those "facts" are not true, there are other options -- probably in Wyoming, where the NV order could be registered and pursued, but perhaps here depending on whether there is any remaining property, whether arrearages have been reduced to judgment, etc.  Generally, see http://willicklawgroup.com/child-support/. Your first step is to have a full and clear conversation with your existing attorney.  If unsatisfied, seek a second opinion.