Interstate Child Custody Under the Law
When parents live in different states, or one parent has moved away, deciding which court handles custody can be complicated. These interstate disputes often rely on rules about a child's primary residence and require courts to work together across state lines.
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act is an important law that addresses interstate child custody issues. Forty-nine states have adopted it, although Massachusetts uses its own laws that are similar in many ways. The UCCJEA aims to prevent parents from improperly seeking favorable rulings in a new state and guides courts on which state should handle the custody case. Federal laws, like the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, also play a role, ensuring that states respect valid custody orders from other states.
Defining the Home State
A key idea under the UCCJEA is the child’s "home state." This is usually where the child has lived for at least six months in a row right before the custody case begins. For example, if a child has lived with their mother in California for the past seven months, California is likely the child's home state. If the child is younger than six months old, their home state is generally the state where they were born, as long as they have lived there continuously since birth. This focus on where the child lives prevents parents from "shopping around" for a state where they think they'll get a better outcome in court.
Significant Connection When There's No Home State
If no state meets the six-month home state requirement, courts look at whether the child and at least one parent have a "significant connection" to a particular state. This means more than just short visits. For example, suppose that a six-year-old child and his mother recently moved from Oregon (his lifelong home) to Idaho. Meanwhile, his father now lives in California. If a custody case starts two months later, none of these states immediately qualifies as the home state. However, Oregon might have significant connection jurisdiction if the child and his mother maintain substantial ties there, such as extended family, long-term doctors, or school history, and crucial evidence for the proceeding is readily available in Oregon.
When a Court Is an Inconvenient Forum
Even if a state has the legal basis to handle a case, it might decline if it's an "inconvenient forum." This could happen if most of the witnesses, evidence, and records are in another state, or if one parent's ties to the chosen state are weak. A different court might be better suited to understand the child’s everyday life.
Emergency Jurisdiction
Courts in states other than the child's home state can take temporary action in emergencies, such as abuse or immediate danger. These emergency orders are usually only valid until a court with proper jurisdiction can address the situation. The focus is on protecting the child right away, not creating a long-term custody arrangement.
Exclusive, Continuing Jurisdiction
Once a court in a particular state makes an initial child custody order in line with the UCCJEA, that state's court then typically holds exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the case. This is a fundamental rule designed to promote stability for children, prevent parents from trying to find a more favorable court in a different state to change the order, and avoid the confusion of conflicting orders from multiple states. This means the original court is generally the only court that can make changes to the custody order later. This exclusive control ends if the state is no longer the residence of the child or either parent. (A court in that state also might give up jurisdiction in certain other limited circumstances.)
Moving a Child to Another State
When a child is subject to a custody order, a parent who wants to move the child to another state usually needs court approval. The court will consider whether the move is in the child’s best interests. This might involve better educational opportunities or needed medical care. The court will also assess whether the parent's reasons for moving are truly in the child's best interests, not just for personal convenience. If the move is approved, the court might change the custody terms to ensure the child’s relationship with both parents is maintained. The most important factor in any custody case, including interstate disputes, is the best interests of the child.
