An Overview of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act and its Relation to Family Law and Guardian ad Litem Practice

Back to Annual Meeting Home

The purpose of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) is to replace the earlier version of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA) in order to comply with the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA) and other federal statutes such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), in an effort to curb inconsistent child custody decisions and court interpretations. The act also protects the order of an issuing state from modification in any other state, so long as the original state retains jurisdiction over the case. By preventing a non-custodial parent from being able to take a child to another state and petition the court of that state for a favorable modification of an existing custody order, the incentive to run with the child is greatly diminished. The UCCJEA limits child custody jurisdiction to one state, and provides enforcement provisions for child custody orders.

This session will explore the UCCJEA and other relevant federal and state statutes, as well as their impact on child custody proceedings, including those in District, Circuit and Juvenile Courts.