Opinion ID: 1700563
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: A court of this state which is competent to decide child custody matters has jurisdiction to make a child custody determination by initial decree or modification decree if:

Text: a. This state (1) is the home state of the child at the time of commencement of the proceeding, or (2) had been the child's home state within six months before commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state because of his removal or retention by a person claiming his custody or for other reasons, and a parent or person acting as parent continues to live in this state; b. It is in the best interest of the child that a court of this state assume jurisdiction because (1) the child and his parents, or the child and at least one contestant, have a significant connection with this state, and (2) there is available in this state substantial evidence concerning the child's present or future care, protection, training, and personal relationships;       d. (1) It appears that no other state would have jurisdiction under prerequisites substantially in accordance with subdivision a, b, or c, or another state has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child, and (2) it is in the best interest of the child that this court assume jurisdiction. The term home state is the state where the child has lived with the parents for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the time involved. N.D.C.C. § 14-14-02(5). Heather and Michael were born in North Dakota and resided here their entire lives until Thomas took them to California in May 1992. Smith began these proceedings in August 1992. Consequently, the North Dakota district court had jurisdiction under N.D.C.C. § 14-14-03(1)(a), because this was the children's home state within six months before the proceedings began, the children's father continues to live here, and the children are absent from this state only because they were removed by their mother. The court also has jurisdiction under N.D.C.C. § 14-14-03(1)(b), because the children, having lived in North Dakota most of their lives with both parents, have significant connections here. The trial court appropriately found available here substantial evidence about the children's present and future care, protection, training, and personal relationships. The court also has jurisdiction under § 14-14-03(1)(d), because California declined jurisdiction to decide the issues related to the marriage dissolution and deferred exercise of jurisdiction to North Dakota as the more appropriate forum. After conferring with the California court, our trial court found it is in the best interests of the children for North Dakota to assume jurisdiction. Accordingly, we conclude the trial court had jurisdiction in this case under Article VI, § 8, N.D. Const., and N.D.C.C. §§ 27-05-06(2), 14-14-03(1), 14-05-22, and 14-05-24.