Opinion ID: 900500
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Interstate Custody Disputes under the UCCJA and PKPA

Text: [¶ 17.] To determine initial, modification and enforcement jurisdiction in interstate child custody disputes we examine both the UCCJA and the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA). First, we decide if the court has jurisdiction under the UCCJA; then, we review the prohibitions of the PKPA. [1] The policy underlying these laws is to eliminate forum shopping, to discourage competition between jurisdictions, and to empower those courts most suitable to address the best interests of the child. Zappitello v. Moses, 458 N.W.2d 784, 786 (S.D.1990). [¶ 18.] Because the rules controlling modification jurisdiction differ from those governing initial jurisdiction, it is important to note that this case does not involve deciding initial jurisdiction. [2] The question here centers on jurisdiction to modify an existing divorce decree. Under the UCCJA, the state that granted the initial custody decree maintains exclusive continuing jurisdiction over later custody questions until all the litigants have moved from the state or the initial decree state declines to further exercise jurisdiction. SDCL 26-5A-14; see SDCL 25-4-45 (divorce court maintains modification jurisdiction in custody matters); Brigitte M. Bodenheimer, Interstate Custody: Initial Jurisdiction and Continuing Jurisdiction Under the UCCJA, 14 FamLQ 203, 214 (1981); see also UCCJA § 6, comment, National Conference of Commissioner on Uniform State Laws (stating once a custody decree has been rendered in one state, jurisdiction is determined by Sections 8 [unclean hands provision] and 14); see, e.g., Yurgel v. Yurgel, 572 So.2d 1327, 1331-32 (Fla.1990); Ladurini v. Hazzard, 130 Idaho 192, 938 P.2d 1230, 1233 (1997). We conclude that the circuit court had continuing jurisdiction under the UCCJA because the original custody decree was entered in South Dakota and one of the parties, Keith's father, still resided here. [¶ 19.] With interstate custody disputes, the PKPA plays a superintending role. 28 USC § 1738A. Congress enacted the PKPA to create uniformity in dealing with interstate custody determinations, and to fill any gaps in the UCCJA with its variants in many states. The PKPA commands that full faith and credit be given to initial custody decrees rendered in accord with the PKPA. At least to the extent that compliance with the provisions of both the UCCJA and PKPA may be unattainable, the PKPA preempts conflicting state law. See generally Roger Baron, Child Custody Jurisdiction, 38 SDLRev 479, 487 (1993). Similar to the UCCJA, under the PKPA the state granting the original custody decree maintains exclusive continuing jurisdiction to modify custody decrees so long as the child or one of the contestants remains in that state. 28 USC § 1738A(d). As South Dakota was the child's original home state where the initial decree was entered and the father continues to live here, we conclude that the assumption of jurisdiction was not prohibited by the PKPA. [3] [¶ 20.] A court may nonetheless decline its jurisdiction if it finds that it is an inconvenient forum to make a custody determination... and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. SDCL 26-5A-7. Ultimately, the question comes down to whether it is in the interest of the child that another state assume jurisdiction. Id. In making this decision, a court should consider the following nonexclusive factors: (1) If another state is or recently was the child's home state; (2) If another state has a closer connection with the child and his family or with the child and one or more of the contestants; (3) If substantial evidence concerning the child's present or future care, protection, training, and personal relationships is more readily available in another state; (4) If the parties have agreed on another forum which is no less appropriate. Id. The trial court considered itself fully conversant with the history in this case, with Keith's ongoing home and school situation, and, of course, with the court file. In addition, the court believed it could readily obtain from Minnesota the school records, medical data, and other material facts pertaining to Keith's life and living environment. In the ten years since Glenn and Jill were divorced, necessary witnesses and relevant information were adequately available to the judge in South Dakota when any proceeding was held. Keith spent much time in South Dakota on court ordered visitation, including all but two weeks each summer. He also attended summer school here. Most significantly, the court had entertained, without objection, many earlier proceedings concerning Keith even though he lived in Minnesota with his mother. Thus, Keith and Glenn had a close connection with South Dakota and up-to-date evidence on Keith's present or future care, protection, training, and personal relationships was already of record. [4] [¶ 21.] On the other hand, we recognize that this is a close question, considering that Keith's home state for a decade was Minnesota, and that much of the dispute in this case converged around Keith's care and education there. Several countervailing indicators point to Minnesota as a more convenient forum. Problems Glenn claimed Keith experienced in school were directly contradicted in reports written by Keith's teachers and his team room supervisor. Glenn related in an affidavit, for example, conversations he had with Mary Mortier, one of Keith's teachers, about problems Keith was having in class. In a point-by-point written statement, Mortier disputed some of the more controversial remarks Glenn attributed to her. In its findings, the court apparently accepted Glenn's version over Mortier's; specifically, the court found that Jill had consistently signed off on Keith's uncompleted homework assignments. According to Mortier, however, there were a few times when Keith did not fill in his assignment log and Mrs. Harberts signed it anyway, but it only happened two or three weeks. Glenn made much of Keith's weight gain, even claiming that Mortier expressed concern about it. Yet she denied in her written statement ever having mentioned it and even disclaimed having thought of it as a concern. When the obesity question was brought to Keith's Minnesota medical doctor, his report in the record shows no concern about Keith's weight. These matters suggest that Minnesota would have been a convenient forum to litigate these intensely contested facts. Nonetheless, there is also evidence in the record to support the court's decision and we review judgments on whether to decline jurisdiction under SDCL 26-5A-7 pursuant to the deferential abuse of discretion standard. Johnson, 477 N.W.2d at 605-06. Therefore, finding no abuse, we affirm the trial court's denial of Jill's motion to decline jurisdiction. We now address the trial court's decision to change custody.