Interstate Child Custody Jurisdiction Law
Before a judge can issue child custody orders for parents who are no longer living together, he or she must answer a basic but essential question: “Does my court have jurisdiction to make custody orders in this case?”
The first unified attempt at providing an answer to this question came in 1968 with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA). That statute was updated in 1997 with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), which has been adopted by 49 states, as well as the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
My practice is dedicated exclusively to helping family law attorneys and their clients deal with issues of jurisdiction in child custody cases – issues that can confound even lawyers who are otherwise highly experienced. I have practiced in the area of family law for more than 40 years, and since adoption of the UCCJEA, I have limited my practice solely to interstate child custody disputes.
Superior Representation and Extensive Resources for Clients Involved in Interstate Child Custody Disputes
As the only lawyer in the country who handles just child custody jurisdictional issues and interstate enforcement of child custody orders, I serve as co-counsel in jurisdiction cases and offer a wealth of resources to parents and legal practitioners (click any of the links below):
- Learn more about custody jurisdiction and the UCCJEA.
- Learn about application of the UCCJEA in the context of parental relocation and kidnapping cases.
- Get answers to frequently asked questions about jurisdiction cases.
- View flowcharts demonstrating application of the UCCJEA in specific states.
Contact My Firm to Discuss Your Case
If your case or your client’s child custody case crosses state lines, I can provide my experienced counsel to help you determine the proper jurisdiction. I work with attorneys and parents across the United States from my Milwaukee area office. Arrange a confidential consultation by email or call toll free 877-9-UCCJEA or 414-815-0447 in Wisconsin.
