Arizona UCCJEA
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-1001 et seq.
§ 25-1001. Short title
This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and
Enforcement Act.
§ 25-1002. Definitions
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Abandoned" means left without provision for reasonable and
necessary care or supervision.
2. "Child" has the same meaning prescribed in section 1-215.
3. "Child custody determination":
(a) Means any judgment, decree or other order of a court,
including a permanent, temporary, initial and modification order, for legal
custody, physical custody or visitation with respect to a child.
(b) Does not include an order relating to child support or
any other monetary obligation of an individual.
4. "Child custody proceeding":
(a) Means a proceeding, including a proceeding for divorce,
separation, neglect, abuse, dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination of
parental rights and protection from domestic violence, in which legal custody,
physical custody or visitation with respect to a child is an issue or in which
that issue may appear.
(b) Does not include a proceeding involving juvenile
delinquency, contractual emancipation or enforcement under Article 3 of this
chapter.
5. "Commencement" means the filing of the first pleading in a
proceeding.
6. "Court" means an entity authorized under the law of a state
to establish, enforce or modify a child custody determination.
7. "Home state" means:
(a) The state in which a child lived with a parent or a
person acting as a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before
the commencement of a child custody proceeding, including any period during
which that person is temporarily absent from that state.
(b) If a child is less than six months of age, the state in
which the child lived from birth with a parent or person acting as a parent,
including any period during which that person is temporarily absent from that
state.
8. "Initial determination" means the first child custody
determination concerning a particular child.
9. "Issuing court" means the court that makes a child custody
determination for which enforcement is sought under this chapter.
10. "Issuing state" means the state in which a child custody
determination is made.
11. "Modification" means a child custody determination that
changes, replaces, supersedes or is otherwise made after a previous
determination concerning the same child, whether or not it is made by the court
that made the previous determination.
12. "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust,
estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint
venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality, or
public corporation or any other legal or commercial entity.
13. "Person acting as a parent" means a person, other than a
parent, who meets both of the following requirements:
(a) Has physical custody of the child or has had physical
custody for a period of six consecutive months, including any temporary absence,
within one year immediately before the commencement of a child custody
proceeding.
(b) Has been awarded legal custody by a court or claims a
right to legal custody under the law of this state.
14. "Physical custody" means the physical care and supervision
of a child.
15. "State" means a state of the United States, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands or any territory or
insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
16. "Tribe" means an Indian tribe or band or Alaskan native
village that is recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state.
17. "Visitation" includes parenting time as defined in section
25-402.
18. "Warrant" means an order issued by a court authorizing law
enforcement officers to take physical custody of a child.
§ 25-1003. Proceeding governed by other law
This chapter does not govern an adoption proceeding or a proceeding pertaining
to the authorization of emergency medical care for a child.
§ 25-1004. Application to Indian tribes
A. A child custody proceeding that pertains to an Indian child as defined in the
Indian Child Welfare Act (25 United States Code section 1903) is not
subject to this chapter to the extent that it is governed by the Indian child
welfare act.
B. A court of this state shall treat a tribe as if it were a
state of the United States for the purpose of applying this article and Article
2 of this chapter.
C. A child custody determination made by a tribe under factual
circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of
this chapter must be recognized and enforced under Article 3 of this chapter.
§ 25-1005. International application of chapter
A. A court of this state shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state of
the United States for the purpose of applying this article and Article 2 of this
chapter.
B. Except as otherwise provided in subsection C, a child custody
determination made in a foreign country under factual circumstances in
substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this chapter must be
recognized and enforced under Article 3 of this chapter.
C. A court of this state is not required to apply this chapter if
the child custody law of a foreign country violates fundamental principles of
human rights.
§ 25-1006. Effect of child custody determination
A
child custody determination made by a court of this state that had jurisdiction
under this chapter binds all persons who have been served in accordance with the
laws of this state or notified pursuant to section 25-1008 or who have submitted
to the jurisdiction of the court and who have been given an opportunity to be
heard. As to those persons, the determination is conclusive as to all decided
issues of law and fact except to the extent the determination is modified.
§ 25-1007. Priority
If a question of existence or exercise of jurisdiction under this chapter is
raised in a child custody proceeding, on request of a party, the question must
be given priority on the calendar and handled expeditiously.
§ 25-1008. Notice to persons outside this state
A. Notice required for the exercise of jurisdiction if a person is outside this
state may be given in a manner prescribed by the law of this state for service
of process or by the law of the state in which the service is made. Notice must
be given in a manner reasonably calculated to give actual notice but may be by
publication if other means are not effective.
B. Proof of service may be made in the manner prescribed by the
law of this state or by the law of the state in which the service is made.
C. Notice is not required for the exercise of jurisdiction with
respect to a person who submits to the jurisdiction of the court.
§ 25-1009. Appearance and limited immunity
A. A party to a child custody proceeding, including a modification proceeding,
or a petitioner or respondent in a proceeding to enforce or register a child
custody determination, is not subject to personal jurisdiction in this state for
another proceeding or purpose solely by reason of having participated, or of
having been physically present for the purpose of participating, in the
proceeding.
B. A person who is subject to personal jurisdiction in this state
on a basis other than physical presence is not immune from service of process in
this state. A party who is present in this state and who is subject to the
jurisdiction of another state is not immune from service of process allowable
under the laws of that state.
C. The immunity granted by subsection A does not extend to civil
litigation based on acts unrelated to the participation in a proceeding under
this chapter and committed by an individual while present in this state.
§ 25-1010. Communication between courts; definition
A. A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state
concerning a proceeding arising under this chapter.
B. The court may allow the parties to participate in the
communication. If 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.
C. Communication between courts on schedules, calendars, court
records and similar matters may occur without informing the parties. A record
need not be made of the communication.
D. Except as otherwise provided in subsection C, a record must be
made of a communication under this section. The parties must be informed
promptly of the communication and granted access to the record.
E. For the purposes of this section, "record" means information
that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in any electronic or
other medium and that is retrievable in perceivable form.
§ 25-1011. Taking testimony in another state
A. In addition to other procedures available to a party, a party to a child
custody proceeding may offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another
state, including testimony of the parties and the child, by deposition or other
means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state. The court on
its own motion may order that the testimony of a person be taken in another
state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms on which the testimony
is taken.
B. A court of this state may permit an individual residing in
another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means or
other electronic means before a designated court or at another location in that
state. A court of this state shall cooperate with courts of other states in
designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
C. Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court
of this state by technological means that do not produce an original writing
shall not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of
transmission.
§ 25-1012. Cooperation between courts; preservation of records
A. A court of this state may request the appropriate court of another state to:
1. Hold an evidentiary hearing.
2. Order a person to produce or give evidence pursuant to
procedures of that state.
3. Order that an evaluation be made with respect to the
custody of a child involved in a pending proceeding.
4. Forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the
transcript of the record of the hearing, the evidence otherwise presented and
any evaluation prepared in compliance with the request.
5. Order a party to a child custody proceeding or any person
having physical custody of the child to appear in the proceeding with or without
the child.
B. On request of a court of another state, a court of this state
may hold a hearing or enter an order described in subsection A.
C. Travel and other necessary and reasonable expenses incurred
under subsections A and B may be assessed against the parties according to the
law of this state.
D. A court of this state shall preserve the pleadings, orders,
decrees, records of hearings, evaluations and other pertinent records with
respect to a child custody proceeding until the child attains eighteen years of
age. On appropriate request by a court or law enforcement official of another
state, the court shall forward a certified copy of those records.
§ 25-1031. Initial child custody jurisdiction
A. Except as otherwise provided in section 25-1034, a court of this state has
jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if any of the
following is true:
1. This state is the home state of the child on the date of
the commencement of the proceeding, or was the home state of the child within
six months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent
from this state but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in
this state.
2. A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under
paragraph 1 or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise
jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum under
section 25-1037 or 25-1038 and both of the following are true:
(a) The child and the child's parents, or the child and at
least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection
with this state other than mere physical presence.
(b) Substantial evidence is available in this state
concerning the child's care, protection, training and personal relationships.
3. All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph 1 or 2 have
declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this state is
the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under section
25-1037 or 25-1038.
4. A court of any other state would not have jurisdiction
under the criteria specified in paragraph 1, 2 or 3.
B. Subsection A of this section is the exclusive jurisdictional
basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this state.
C. Physical presence of or personal jurisdiction over a party or
a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.
§ 25-1032. Exclusive continuing jurisdiction
A. Except as otherwise provided in section 25-1034, a court of this state that
has made a child custody determination consistent with section 25-1031 or
25-1033 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until
either of the following is true:
1. A court of this state determines that neither the child,
nor the child and one parent, nor the child and a person acting as a parent have
a significant connection with this state and that substantial evidence is no
longer available in this state concerning the child's care, protection, training
and personal relationships.
2. A court of this state or a court of another state
determines that the child, the child's parents and any person acting as a parent
do not presently reside in this state.
B. A court of this state that has made a child custody
determination and does not have exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under this
section may modify that determination only if it has jurisdiction to make an
initial determination under section 25-1031.
§ 25-1033. Jurisdiction to modify determination
Except as otherwise provided in section 25-1034, a court of this state shall not
modify a child custody determination made by a court of another state unless a
court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under
section 25-1031, subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 and either of the following is
true:
1. The court of the other state determines that it no longer
has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under section 25-1032 or that a court of
this state would be a more convenient forum under section 25-1037.
2. A court of this state or a court of the other state
determines that the child, the child's parents and any person acting as a parent
do not presently reside in the other state.
§ 25-1034. Temporary emergency jurisdiction
A. A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is
present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an
emergency to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the
child, is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse.
B. If there is no previous child custody determination that is
entitled to be enforced under this chapter and a child custody proceeding has
not been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under section
25-1031, 25-1032 or 25-1033, a child custody determination made under this
section remains in effect until an order is obtained from a court of a state
having jurisdiction under section 25-1031, 25-1032 or 25-1033. If a child
custody proceeding has not been or is not commenced in a court of a state having
jurisdiction under section 25-1031, 25-1032 or 25-1033, a child custody
determination made under this section becomes a final determination, if it so
provides and this state becomes the home state of the child.
C. If there is a previous child custody determination that is
entitled to be enforced under this chapter or a child custody proceeding has
been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under section 25-1031,
25-1032 or 25-1033, any order issued by a court of this state under this section
must specify in the order a period that the court considers adequate to allow
the person seeking an order to obtain an order from the state having
jurisdiction under section 25-1031, 25-1032 or 25-1033. The order issued in this
state remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other state within
the period specified or the period expires.
D. A court of this state that has been asked to make a child
custody determination under this section, on being informed that a child custody
proceeding has been commenced in, or a child custody determination has been made
by, a court of a state having jurisdiction under section 25-1031, 25-1032 or
25-1033, shall immediately communicate with the other court. A court of this
state that exercises jurisdiction pursuant to section 25-1031, 25-1032 or
25-1033, on being informed that a child custody proceeding has been commenced
in, or a child custody determination has been made by, a court of another state
under a statute similar to this section, shall immediately communicate with the
court of that state to resolve the emergency, protect the safety of the parties
and the child and determine a period for the duration of the temporary order.
§ 25-1035. Notice; opportunity to be heard; joinder
A. Before a child custody determination is made under this chapter, notice and
an opportunity to be heard pursuant to section 25-1008 must be given to all
persons entitled to notice under the law of this state as in child custody
proceedings between residents of this state, any parent whose parental rights
have not been previously terminated and any person having physical custody of
the child.
B. This chapter does not govern the enforceability of a child
custody determination made without notice or an opportunity to be heard.
C. The obligation to join a party and the right to intervene as a
party in a child custody proceeding under this chapter are governed by the law
of this state as in child custody proceedings between residents of this state.
§ 25-1036. Simultaneous proceedings
A. Except as otherwise provided in section 25-1034, a court of this state shall
not exercise its jurisdiction under this article if, at the time of the
commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child
has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially
in conformity with this chapter, unless the proceeding has been terminated or is
stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this state is a more
convenient forum under section 25-1037.
B. Except as otherwise provided in section 25-1034, a court of
this state, before hearing a child custody proceeding, shall examine the court
documents and other information supplied by the parties pursuant to section
25-1039. If the court determines that a child custody proceeding has been
commenced in a court in another state that has jurisdiction substantially in
accordance with this chapter, the court of this state shall stay its proceeding
and communicate with the court of the other state. If the court of the state
having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter does not
determine that the court of this state is a more appropriate forum, the court of
this state shall dismiss the proceeding.
C. In a proceeding to modify a child custody determination, a
court of this state shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the
determination has been commenced in another state. If a proceeding to enforce a
child custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may
do any of the following:
1. Stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of
an order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying or dismissing
the proceeding for enforcement.
2. Enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for
enforcement.
3. Proceed with the modification under conditions it considers
appropriate.
§ 25-1037. Inconvenient forum
A. A court of this state that has jurisdiction under this chapter to make a
child custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time
if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and
that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The issue of
inconvenient forum may be raised on motion of a party, the court's own motion or
request of another court.
B. Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a
court of this state shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of
another state to exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the court shall allow
the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors
including:
1. Whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to
continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the
child.
2. The length of time the child has resided outside this
state.
3. The distance between the court in this state and the court
in the state that would assume jurisdiction.
4. The relative financial circumstances of the parties.
5. Any agreement of the parties as to which state should
assume jurisdiction.
6. The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve
the pending litigation, including testimony of the child.
7. The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue
expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence.
8. The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts
and issues in the pending litigation.
C. If a court of this state determines that it is an inconvenient
forum and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall
stay the proceedings on condition that a child custody proceeding be promptly
commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the
court considers just and proper.
D. A court of this state may decline to exercise its jurisdiction
under this chapter if a child custody determination is incidental to an action
for divorce or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the
divorce or other proceeding.
§ 25-1038. Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct
A. Except as otherwise provided in section 25-1034, if a court of this state has
jurisdiction under this chapter because a person seeking to invoke its
jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to
exercise its jurisdiction unless any of the following is true:
1. The parents and all persons acting as parents have
acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction.
2. A court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under
section 25-1031, 25-1032 or 25-1033 determines that this state is a more
appropriate forum under section 25-1037.
3. A court of any other state would not have jurisdiction
under the criteria specified in section 25-1031, 25-1032 or 25-1033.
B. If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction
pursuant to subsection A of this section, it may fashion an appropriate remedy
to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable
conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child custody proceeding is
commenced in a court having jurisdiction under section 25-1031, 25-1032 or
25-1033.
C. If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because
it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection A of this
section, it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction
necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses,
attorney fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses and
child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees
are sought establishes that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate. The
court shall not assess fees, costs or expenses against this state unless
authorized by law other than this chapter.
§ 25-1039. Information to be submitted to court
A. In a child custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or in an
attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under
oath as to the child's present address or whereabouts, the places where the
child has lived during the last five years and the names and present addresses
of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period. The pleading or
affidavit must state whether the party:
1. Has participated, as a party or witness or in any other
capacity, in any other proceeding concerning the custody of or visitation with
the child and, if so, shall identify the court, the case number and the date of
the child custody determination, if any.
2. Knows of any proceeding that could affect the current
proceeding, including proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to
domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights and
adoptions and, if so, shall identify the court, the case number and the nature
of the proceeding.
3. Knows the names and addresses of any person who is not a
party to the proceeding and who has physical custody of the child or claims
rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or visitation with, the child
and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons.
B. If the information required by subsection A is not furnished,
the court, on motion of a party or on its own motion, may stay the proceeding
until the information is furnished.
C. If the declaration as to any of the items described in
subsection A, paragraph 1, 2 or 3 is in the affirmative, the declarant shall
give additional information under oath as required by the court. The court may
examine the parties under oath as to details of the information furnished and
other matters pertinent to the court's jurisdiction and the disposition of the
case.
D. Each party has a continuing duty to inform the court of any
proceeding in this or any other state that could affect the current proceeding.
E. If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath
that the health, safety or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by
disclosure of identifying information, the information must be sealed and may
not be disclosed to the other party or the public unless the court orders the
disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into
consideration the health, safety or liberty of the party or child and determines
that the disclosure is in the interest of justice.
§ 25-1040. Appearance of parties and child
A. In a child custody proceeding in this state, the court may order a party to
the proceeding who is in this state to appear before the court in person with or
without the child. The court may order any person who is in this state and who
has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child.
B. If a party to a child custody proceeding whose presence is
desired by the court is outside this state, the court may order that a notice
given pursuant to section 25-1008 include a statement directing the party to
appear in person with or without the child and informing the party that failure
to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party.
C. The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety
of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section.
D. If a party to a child custody proceeding who is outside this
state is directed to appear under subsection B of this section or desires to
appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may
require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses
of the party so appearing and of the child.
§ 25-1051. Definitions
In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Petitioner" means a person who seeks enforcement of an
order for return of a child under the Hague convention on the civil aspects of
international child abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination.
2. "Respondent" means a person against whom a proceeding has
been commenced for enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague
convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction or enforcement
of a child custody determination.
§ 25-1052. Enforcement under Hague convention
Under this article a court of this state may enforce an order for the return of
the child made under the Hague convention on the civil aspects of international
child abduction as if it were a child custody determination.
§ 25-1053. Duty to enforce
A. A court of this state shall recognize and enforce a child custody
determination of a court of another state if the latter court exercised
jurisdiction in substantial conformity with this chapter or the determination
was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional standards of
this chapter and the determination has not been modified in accordance with this
chapter.
B. A court of this state may use any remedy available under any
other law of this state to enforce a child custody determination made by a court
of another state. The remedies provided in this article are cumulative and do
not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child custody
determination.
§ 25-1054. Temporary visitation
A. A court of this state that does not have jurisdiction to modify a child
custody determination may issue a temporary order enforcing:
1. A visitation schedule made by a court of another state.
2. The visitation provisions of a child custody determination
of another state that does not provide for a specific visitation schedule.
B. If a court of this state makes an order under subsection A,
paragraph 2, it shall specify in the order a period that it considers adequate
to allow the petitioner to obtain an order from a court having jurisdiction
under the criteria specified in Article 2 of this chapter. The order remains in
effect until an order is obtained from the other court or the period expires.
§
25-1055. Registration of child custody determination
A. A child custody determination issued by a court of another state may be
registered in this state, with or without a simultaneous request for
enforcement, by sending to the appropriate court in this state all of the
following:
1. A letter or another document requesting registration.
2. Two copies, including one certified copy, of the
determination sought to be registered and a statement under penalty of perjury
that to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person seeking registration
the order has not been modified.
3. Except as otherwise provided in section 25-1039, the name
and address of the person seeking registration and any parent or person acting
as a parent who has been awarded custody or visitation in the child custody
determination sought to be registered.
B. On receipt of the documents required by subsection A of this
section, the registering court shall:
1. Cause the determination to be filed as a foreign judgment,
together with one copy of any accompanying documents and information, regardless
of their form.
2. Serve notice on the persons named pursuant to subsection A,
paragraph 3 of this section and provide them with an opportunity to contest the
registration in accordance with this section.
C. The notice required by subsection B, paragraph 2 of this
section must state that:
1. A registered determination is enforceable as of the date of
the registration in the same manner as a determination issued by a court of this
state.
2. A hearing to contest the validity of the registered
determination must be requested within twenty days after service of notice.
3. Failure to contest the registration shall result in
confirmation of the child custody determination and preclude further contest of
that determination with respect to any matter that could have been asserted.
D. A person seeking to contest the validity of a registered order
must request a hearing within twenty days after service of the notice. At that
hearing, the court shall confirm the registered order unless the person
contesting registration establishes any of the following:
1. The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2
of this chapter.
2. The child custody determination sought to be registered has
been vacated, stayed or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under
Article 2 of this chapter.
3. The person contesting registration was entitled to notice,
but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of section 25-1008, in
the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which registration is
sought.
E. If a timely request for a hearing to contest the validity of
the registration is not made, the registration is confirmed as a matter of law
and the person requesting registration and all persons served must be notified
of the confirmation.
F. Confirmation of a registered order, whether by operation of
law or after notice and a hearing, precludes further contest of the order with
respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of registration.
§ 25-1056. Enforcement of registered determination
A. A court of this state may grant any relief normally available under the law
of this state to enforce a registered child custody determination made by a
court of another state.
B. A court of this state shall recognize and enforce, but shall
not modify, except in accordance with Article 2 of this chapter, a registered
child custody determination of a court of another state.
§ 25-1057. Simultaneous proceedings
If a proceeding for enforcement under this article is commenced in a court of
this state and the court determines that a proceeding to modify the
determination is pending in a court of another state having jurisdiction to
modify the determination under Article 2 of this chapter, the enforcing court
shall immediately communicate with the modifying court. The proceeding for
enforcement continues unless the enforcing court, after consultation with the
modifying court, stays or dismisses the proceeding.
§ 25-1058. Expedited enforcement of child custody determination
A. A petition under this article must be verified. Certified copies of all
orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be
attached to the petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached
instead of the original.
B. A petition for enforcement of a child custody determination
must state:
1. Whether the court that issued the determination identified
the jurisdictional basis it relied on in exercising jurisdiction and, if so,
what the basis was.
2. Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has
been vacated, stayed or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced
under this chapter and, if so, shall identify the court, the case number and the
nature of the proceeding.
3. Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect
the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence,
protective orders, termination of parental rights and adoptions and, if so,
shall identify the court, the case number and the nature of the proceeding.
4. The present physical address of the child and the
respondent, if known.
5. Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical
custody of the child and attorney fees is sought, including a request for
assistance from law enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought.
6. If the child custody determination has been registered and
confirmed under section 25-1055, the date and place of registration.
C. On the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order
directing the respondent to appear in person with or without the child at a
hearing and may enter any order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties
and the child. The hearing must be held on the next judicial day after service
of the order unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold
the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The court may extend the date of
the hearing at the request of the petitioner.
D. An order issued under subsection C of this section must state
the time and place of the hearing and advise the respondent that at the hearing
the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of
the child and the payment of fees, costs and expenses under section 25-1062 and
may schedule a hearing to determine whether further relief is appropriate,
unless the respondent appears and establishes that either of the following is
true:
1. The child custody determination has not been registered and
confirmed under section 25-1055 and that any of the following is true:
(a) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under
Article 2 of this chapter.
(b) The child custody determination for which enforcement
is sought has been vacated, stayed or modified by a court having jurisdiction to
do so under Article 2 of this chapter.
(c) The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was
not given in accordance with section 25-1008, in the proceedings before the
court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought.
2. The child custody determination for which enforcement is
sought was registered and confirmed under section 25-1054, but has been vacated,
stayed or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under
Article 2 of this chapter.
§ 25-1059. Service of petition and order
Except as otherwise provided in section 25-1061, the petition and order must be
served on the respondent and any person who has physical custody of the child by
any method authorized by this state.
§ 25-1060. Hearing and order
A. Unless the court issues a temporary emergency order in accordance with
section 25-1034, on a finding that a petitioner is entitled to immediate
physical custody of the child, the court shall order that the petitioner may
take immediate physical custody of the child unless the respondent establishes
that either of the following is true:
1. The child custody determination has not been registered and
confirmed under section 25-1053 and that any of the following is true:
(a) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under
Article 2 of this chapter.
(b) The child custody determination for which enforcement
is sought has been vacated, stayed or modified by a court of a state having
jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this chapter.
(c) The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was
not given in accordance with section 25-1008, in the proceedings before the
court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought.
2. The child custody determination for which enforcement is
sought was registered and confirmed under section 25-1055 but has been vacated,
stayed or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under
Article 2 of this chapter.
B. The court shall award the fees, costs and expenses authorized
under section 25-1062, may grant additional relief, including a request for the
assistance of law enforcement officials, and may set a further hearing to
determine whether additional relief is appropriate.
C. If a party called to testify refuses to answer on the ground
that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the court may draw an adverse
inference from the refusal.
D. A privilege against disclosure of communications between
spouses and a defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife
or parent and child shall not be invoked in a proceeding under this article.
§ 25-1061. Warrant to take physical custody of child
A. On the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child custody
determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance
of a warrant to take physical custody of the child if the child is immediately
likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this state.
B. If on the testimony of the petitioner or any other witness,
the court finds that the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical
harm or be removed from this state, it may issue a warrant to take physical
custody of the child. The petition must be heard on the next judicial day after
the warrant is executed unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court
shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The application for
the warrant must include the statements required by section 25-1058, subsection
B.
C. A warrant to take physical custody of a child must do all of
the following:
1. Recite the facts on which a conclusion of imminent serious
physical harm or removal from the jurisdiction is based.
2. Direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of
the child immediately.
3. Provide for the placement of the child pending final
relief.
D. The respondent must be served with the petition, warrant and
order immediately after the child is taken into physical custody.
E. A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable
throughout this state. If the court finds on the basis of the testimony of the
petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive remedy is not effective, it
may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take
physical custody of the child. If required by exigent circumstances of the case,
the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any
hour.
F. The court may impose conditions on placement of a child to
ensure the appearance of the child and the child's custodian.
§ 25-1062. Costs, fees and expenses
A. The court shall award the prevailing party, including a state, necessary and
reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs,
communication expenses, attorney fees, investigative fees, expenses for
witnesses, travel expenses and child care during the course of the proceedings,
unless the party from whom fees or expenses are sought establishes that the
award is clearly inappropriate.
B. The court shall not assess fees, costs or expenses against a
state unless authorized by law other than this chapter.
§ 25-1063. Recognition and enforcement
A
court of this state shall accord full faith and credit to an order that is
issued by another state, that is consistent with this chapter and that enforces
a child custody determination by a court of another state unless the order has
been vacated, stayed or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under
Article 2 of this chapter.
§ 25-1064. Appeals
An appeal may be taken from a final order in a proceeding under this article in
accordance with expedited appellate procedures in other civil cases. Unless the
court enters a temporary emergency order under section 25-1034, the enforcing
court shall not stay an order enforcing a child custody determination pending
appeal.
§ 25-1065. Role of attorney general
A. In a case that arises under this chapter or that involves the Hague
convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction, the attorney
general may take any lawful action, including resorting to a proceeding under
this article or any other available civil proceeding, to locate a child, obtain
the return of a child or enforce a child custody determination if there is any
of the following:
1. An existing child custody determination.
2. A request to do so from a court in a pending child custody
proceeding.
3. A reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been
violated.
4. A reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully
removed or retained in violation of the Hague convention on the civil aspects of
international child abduction.
B. The attorney general acting pursuant to this section acts on
behalf of the court and shall not represent any party.
§ 25-1066. Role of law enforcement
At the request of the attorney general who acts pursuant to section 25-1065, a
law enforcement officer may take any lawful action reasonably necessary to
locate a child or a party to assist the attorney general.
§ 25-1067. Costs and expenses
If the respondent is not the prevailing party, the court may assess against the
respondent all direct expenses and costs incurred by the attorney general and
law enforcement officers who act pursuant to section 25-1065 and 25-1066.

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