Opinion ID: 1122550
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: montana uniform child custody jurisdiction act (muccja)

Text: Next, we must determine whether Montana has subject matter jurisdiction over the child custody issues under the MUCCJA, which is found at Chapter 7 of Title 40. Scott argues that Section 40-4-211, MCA, is also pertinent to this case. He contends that Montana was the home state of the children when the proceedings were commenced and further, jurisdiction is established in Montana because the petition for dissolution was filed in Missoula, Montana. Karen states that Montana is unable to meet any of the jurisdictional requirements of the MUCCJA and therefore, it does not have jurisdiction in the instant case. Section 40-7-104, MCA, states that [t]he jurisdictional provisions of 40-4-211 apply to this chapter. Section 40-4-211, MCA, is the premier jurisdictional hurdle which must be overcome before a district court may modify a child custody decree with interstate implications. In re Marriage of Lance (1984), 213 Mont. 182, 188, 690 P.2d 979, 982, citing In re the Marriage of Bolton (1984), 212 Mont. 212, 218, 690 P.2d 401, 404. Section 40-4-211, MCA, provides: Child custody jurisdiction  commencement of proceedings. (1) A court of this state competent to decide child custody matters has jurisdiction to make a child custody determination by initial or modification decree if: (a) this state: (i) is the home of the child at the time of commencement of the proceedings; or (ii) had been the child's home state within 6 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 reason and a parent or person acting as parent continues to live in this state; or (b) it is in the best interest of the child that a court of this state assume jurisdiction because: (i) the child and his parents or the child and at least one contestant have a significant connection with this state; and (ii) there is available in this state substantial evidence concerning the child's present or future care, protection, training, and personal relationships; or (c) the child is physically present in this state and: (i) has been abandoned; or (ii) it is necessary in an emergency to protect him because he has been subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse or is neglected or dependent; or (d)(i) no other state has jurisdiction under prerequisites substantially in accordance with subsections (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(c) of this section or another state has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum to determine custody of the child; and (ii) it is in his best interest that the court assume jurisdiction. (2) Except under subsections (1)(c) and (1)(d) of this section, physical presence in this state of the child or of the child and one of the contestants is not alone sufficient to confer jurisdiction on a court of this state to make a child custody determination. Section 40-4-211(1)(a), MCA, requires the trial court to determine which state is the child's home state or his home state within the past 6 months. Home state means the state in which the child, immediately preceding the time involved, lived with his parents, [or] a parent ... for at least 6 consecutive months... . Section 40-7-103, MCA. In the instant case, Scott consented to Karen's move to Washington with the boys in 1985. They have consistently resided with her in the State of Washington since that time with the exception of visitation with Scott and/or the paternal grandparents. Washington is unquestionably the home state, not Montana. Lance, 690 P.2d at 983. This determination comports with one of the general purposes of the MUCCJA, which is to: (c) assure that litigation concerning the custody of a child takes place ordinarily in the state with which the child and his family have the closest connection and where significant evidence concerning his care, protection, training, and personal relationships is most readily available and that courts of this state decline the exercise of jurisdiction when the child and his family have a closer connection with another state... . Section 40-7-102(1)(c), MCA. Section 40-4-211(1)(a), MCA, does not apply to the instant case. Under § 40-4-211(1)(b), MCA, Montana has jurisdiction if the child and his parents, or at least one contestant have a significant connection with Montana and substantial evidence is available here concerning the children's present or future care, training, and personal relationships. Mark and Tom have lived in Washington for the greater majority of their lives. Scott has significant connections with Montana but the boy's connection stems from visitation with their father. Even if the boys had significant connections with Montana, there must also be available in the state substantial evidence concerning their present or future care, protection, training, and personal relationships. Section 40-4-211(1)(b)(ii), MCA. In this case, Mark and Tom's friends, classmates, teachers and physicians reside in Washington where the boys have resided for the last 7 years. Again, under § 40-7-102(1)(c), MCA, above, the requirements of subsection (1)(b) of § 40-4-211, MCA, simply cannot be met in this case. Subsection (1)(c) of § 40-4-211, MCA, requires that the child be physically present in this state and have been abandoned or that an emergency situation necessitates the child's protection under subsection (1)(c). In this case, the children are not physically present in Montana nor are there any allegations of abandonment, mistreatment, abuse or neglect. Thus, the requirements of § 40-4-211(1)(c), MCA, cannot be met. Under § 40-4-211(1)(d), MCA, this state may assume jurisdiction if no other state has jurisdiction under guidelines comparable to those of subsections (1)(a), (b) and (c) or another state has declined jurisdiction because this state is a more appropriate forum and it is in the children's best interest that this court assume jurisdiction. Since there has been no contact with the courts in the State of Washington, it cannot be said that Washington, the boys' home state, would not have jurisdiction nor that it would decline jurisdiction. Neither can it be said that it is in the best interest of the children for child custody to be adjudicated in Montana. As stated earlier, the boys do not have a significant connection with Montana nor would substantial evidence be found in Montana regarding their present and future care and training. Finally, the boys do not live in Montana, have not lived here in years and there is no threat or emergency to necessitate Montana's claim to jurisdiction. In conclusion, Montana cannot claim jurisdiction over child custody matters in this case and the trial court correctly concluded that Montana does not have subject matter jurisdiction in this case.