Opinion ID: 2355813
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Court Failed to Allow the Parties to Submit Facts and Argument with Respect to Its Communication with Alabama

Text: [¶ 15] Cushman also argues that the court denied her due process when it relinquished jurisdiction to Alabama without allowing her to offer facts and argument, as required by the UCCJEA, 19-A M.R.S. § 1740(2). [¶ 16] A Maine court is permitted, even encouraged, by the UCCJEA to communicate with another court in order to make determinations concerning jurisdiction. See 19-A M.R.S. § 1740. A Maine court has the discretion to allow the parties to participate in such a communication, but [i]f the parties are not able to participate in the communication, they must be given the opportunity to present facts and legal arguments before a decision on jurisdiction is made. 19-A M.R.S. § 1740(2). Except as otherwise provided, a record must be made of the communication, the parties must be informed promptly of the communication, and they must be granted access to the record. Id. § 1740(4). [¶ 17] The District Court did not observe these requirements when it received, and relied upon, the letter from the Alabama court. We therefore further conclude that the District Court erred when it relinquished jurisdiction without complying with 19-A M.R.S. § 1740(2). [8] The entry is: Judgment vacated. Remanded to the District Court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.