Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act

Virginia UCCJEA Attorneys

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) was drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 1997 with the goal of creating a law that was the same or substantially similar across all states for enforcement purposes. The Commonwealth of Virginia enacted its version of the law in 2001.

The UCCJEA deals with custody issues involving parental relocation to another state and which state has jurisdiction over the matter. In short, the court in the child’s “home state,” that is, the state where the child lived for the six months prior to the relocation, maintains jurisdiction over any disputes that arise over the child’s custody, unless that state is deemed to be an “inconvenient forum.”

If both parents have moved away from the child’s home state and one parent has lived in a new state for at least six months, he or she can petition the court to register, modify or enforce a custody order in the new state.

Representing Clients on All Sides of UCCJEA Matters

Child support laws vary state by state, and in some states like Kansas, even sperm donors can be on the hook for child support. At HALE BALL MURPHY, PLC, we represent clients throughout northern Virginia in a wide variety of interstate child custody matters. Our northern Virginia child custody attorneys understand the law and the impact it can have on you, your children and the relationship between the two of you.

Our attorneys represent clients on all sides of UCCJEA matters. Whether you have lived in Virginia for at least six months and need help establishing a custody order here or you are a parent whose child has been relocated to another state by your former spouse, we have the experience and ability to protect your interests and the interests of your family. No one is exempt from the possibility of child custody cases, even celebrities. If you are in need of a child custody attorney, contact our team today.