A father brought a custody petition in New York State. The next day, the mother who resided in Texas brought a custody petition for the parties child in Texas. There was litigation to determine whether New York or Texas would be the appropriate jurisdiction to determine who receives custody of the child.
The Parties Were Divorced In Michigan
The parties were originally divorced in the state of Michigan. Issues involving child support, child custody, visitation and parenting time were still pending at the time the proceedings were brought in New York and Texas. Judge Statler, sitting in the Family Court of New York County, was presented with a sticky issue as to what state has jurisdiction. The father claimed that New York not Texas should be the state to determine custody. In her decision, Judge Statler found that, under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, Texas would be the appropriate state to handle this child custody case. Her reasoning was that the child had resided in Texas with the mother for approximately one year at the time of the initiation of the custody proceedings. Under this law, the state that the child lived in for the past six months is the appropriate state to determine custody. Judge Statler also found there were more significant contacts with the child and the mother in the state of Texas than in New York. She therefore dismissed the case and the case will now have to be dealt with in Texas.
The Law Offices of Schlissel DeCorpo is one of the premier fathers’ rights law firms in the country. Our attorneys have more than ninety years of combined legal experience in handling fathers’ rights cases. We litigate divorce matters, orders of protection, child custody, child visitation, child support, spousal maintenance (alimony), child abuse and child neglect proceedings. In addition, we deal with CPS and ACS problems related to child abuse and child neglect. When our clients lose their jobs or have reduced income, we bring proceedings to reduce child support payments. We litigate numerous cases each year involving issues concerning paternity, equitable distribution, grandparents’ rights and high net worth divorces. We also are negotiating separation agreements, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Feel free to contact us for a free consultation.