Opinion ID: 2315250
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Pennsylvania Decree

Text: The first question is whether the lower court had jurisdiction when the initial Pennsylvania custody decree of June 28, 1978, was entered. We find that the Pennsylvania court had jurisdiction to make the initial custody decree by virtue of its being the children's home state. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5344(a)(1). The children resided with their parents in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, from the moment of their births until April 17, 1978, when appellant removed them from the Commonwealth. Appellee petitioned for custody in Pennsylvania on May 8, 1978, at which time no other state could claim UCCJA jurisdiction. Because the June 28, 1978, decree has never been modified, it is binding on the parties under § 5353 of the UCCJA. See 42 Pa.C. S.A. § 5353; Commonwealth ex rel. Zaubi v. Zaubi, 492 Pa. 183, 188-189, 423 A.2d 333, 336 (1980). [2]