Divorce Law

Virginia Forum Shopping - UCCJEA & Hague Convention

When child custody disputes arise in Virginia, it is not uncommon for one of the parents to attempt to engage in forum shopping in an endeavor to gain an unfair edge against the other party. Forum shopping is basically looking for a state or country that may have more favorable laws towards one of the parents in regards to child custody.  Many countries have become a part of the Hague Convention to prevent forum shopping between countries. Additionally, in the United States, an act called the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), was enacted and adopted by every state to prevent forum shopping in child custody cases. The essence of this act is to require all the states to defer to the jurisdiction of the home state of the child or children.

The Virginia child custody attorneys of SRIS, P.C. have successfully represented many clients who have to deal with the other parent attempting to engage in forum shopping. It is very important to hire the services of an excellent Virginia child custody lawyer when faced with an issue of forum shopping. The statutory designation of "home state" lasts only for a certain period of time.