UCCJEA
When parents live in different states — or different countries — child custody jurisdiction becomes critically important. The Rhodes Law Firm helps Louisiana families navigate interstate and international custody matters under the UCCJEA.
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) is a uniform law adopted by Louisiana and nearly every other state in the country. It governs which state has jurisdiction to make and modify child custody determinations when the parties and children are spread across multiple states. The UCCJEA is designed to prevent parental kidnapping, eliminate conflicting custody orders from multiple states, and ensure that custody decisions are made by the court that has the most appropriate connection to the child.
Home State Jurisdiction
Under the UCCJEA, the primary basis for jurisdiction is "home state" jurisdiction — the state in which the child has lived with a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before the custody proceeding was commenced. Louisiana courts applying the UCCJEA must carefully analyze where the child has been living, how long they have been there, and whether another state has already issued a custody order. Getting jurisdiction right from the start is essential to protecting your custody rights.
Enforcing Out-of-State Custody Orders in Louisiana
The UCCJEA also provides a streamlined mechanism for enforcing custody orders from other states in Louisiana courts. If you hold a valid custody order from another state and the other parent has relocated to Louisiana with your child — or is refusing to comply with your parenting time — we can help you register and enforce that order here. Louisiana courts are required to give full faith and credit to valid out-of-state custody orders.
International Custody Disputes
When a child is taken to or wrongfully retained in a foreign country, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction may provide a remedy for the left-behind parent. We assist clients in navigating both the UCCJEA's interstate framework and international custody matters — including Hague Convention proceedings — to protect your parental rights and your children's well-being.
Authoritative Resources
- Louisiana R.S. 13:1801 et seq. – Louisiana UCCJEA (Louisiana Legislature) ↗
- Uniform Law Commission – UCCJEA Official Text & State Adoptions ↗
- U.S. State Department – Hague Convention: International Child Abduction ↗
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – Family Abduction Resources ↗
- LawHelp Louisiana – Interstate Custody Issues ↗
Related Family Law Services
Interstate Custody Issues Require Experienced Counsel
Contact us to discuss your UCCJEA or international custody matter.