For coparents who share custody of their children, navigating the challenges of coordinating schedules and transportation between two households is often difficult. Logistical challenges become even more pronounced for out of state custody agreements (also called interstate custody), or when one parent moves out of stated.
According to a Pew Research study, 5% of U.S. adults said they personally moved from where they were living either permanently or temporarily due to the COVID-19 outbreak. And although pandemic concerns have largely subsided, economic factors like increased cost of living or the loss of a job continue to compel people to move. This means the chances are higher that interstate jurisdiction may become an issue in your Texas child custody agreement.
If you and your co-parent currently have a child custody agreement in the state of Texas and one of you decides to move out of state, you will need to determine interstate jurisdiction in order to make modifications to your child custody agreement. Are you prepared? Here are the details you need.
What is Interstate Jurisdiction for an
Out of State Custody Agreement?
Interstate jurisdiction refers to the state that has the legal authority to enforce and modify a child custody agreement. Determining which state has jurisdiction over child custody can often be a complicated process, especially if your child has lived in multiple states.
In the event that one co-parent decides to move out of state, a request should first be filed with the Texas court to grant the modification of the child custody agreement. Moving a child out of the custody agreement’s geographic designations requires approval from the court, which may or may not be granted. Depending on how agreeable the other parent is to the move, there may be serious objections and lengthy arguments over the requested modification.
How is Interstate Custody Jurisdiction Determined?
In order to determine which state has jurisdiction over an interstate child custody or child support case, the court will refer to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). The UCCJEA has been accepted by 49 states (all except Massachusetts) and helps determine which state is considered the child’s home state.
The UCCJEA Texas rules state that jurisdiction to make decisions goes to the state where the child:
- has lived for 6 months or longer;
- was living before being taken elsewhere by a parent seeking custody in another state;
- has established relationships in the state (teachers, friends, relatives, etc.);
- was abandoned; or
- is residing safely when there is threat of danger or abuse in their home state.
Bear in mind that UCCJEA only applies in cases where physical custody, legal custody, or visitation are an issue. Texas cannot make orders in your custody case until jurisdiction is determined.
It is absolutely pivotal to talk to your lawyer before filing your case if jurisdiction is at all in question. This is because jurisdiction issues can be raised at any time, even on appeal, and could waste enormous time and money.
How is Interstate Custody Enforced?
Under the ‘full faith and credit clause’ of the US Constitution, decisions made by a state with proper jurisdiction must be respected by all other states. This means that when a Texas court issues a child custody order after being established as a child’s home state, that order must be recognized in other states.
However, when this process is affected by emergency circumstances, the law does provide the opportunity for a state to file a temporary emergency order. A temporary emergency order could be considered in a case where immediate action needs to be taken in the state where the child currently lives, regardless of the child’s home state status.
If a major incident or emergency situation happens outside of the child’s home state requiring emergency action, decisions can be made for the child according to the following rules:
- Temporary emergency orders can be filed by any state in which a child is in danger or requires immediate custody modifications.
- Modifications made from temporary orders will take the current custody orders from other states into account, but they will temporarily override the original agreements.
- Once the parent and child return to the child’s home state, that court will make a lasting ruling regarding the emergency order.
If there is no previous custody ruling or no home state has been determined, the order may become part of a final out of state custody agreement, and the state issuing the order may become the child’s home state.
What If You Have A Child Custody Order From Another State?
If you have a custody order from another state, you may (in some cases) have your court order modified by a Texas court. This is, however, very complex and requires numerous requirements to first be met, such as those detailed above.
It’s crucial to have your attorney navigate you through a process involving child custody jurisdiction issues, particularly when applying the UCCJEA.
Get Help With Your Texas Interstate Child Custody Case
Interstate child custody and child support cases can be complicated and overwhelming. That’s why it is important to have someone on your side who is experienced in family law. Kelly J. Capps has over 25 years of experience in family law, including interstate and international custody issues. To arrange a consultation with Kelly J. Capps of Capps Law Firm, PLLC, please call our Austin office at (512) 338-9800.
