23-37,207. Inconvenient forum. (UCCJEA 207). (a) A court of this state which has jurisdiction under this act 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 upon 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; and
(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 upon 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 act 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.
History: L. 2000, ch. 171, ยง 49; July 1.
Structure Kansas Statutes
Chapter 23 - Kansas Family Law Code-revised
Article 37 - Uniform Child-custody Jurisdiction And Enforcement Act (uccjea)
23-37,103 Proceeding governed by other law.
23-37,104 Application to Indian tribes.
23-37,105 International application of act.
23-37,106 Effect of child-custody determination.
23-37,108 Notice to persons outside state.
23-37,109 Appearance and limited immunity.
23-37,110 Communication between courts.
23-37,111 Taking testimony in another state.
23-37,112 Cooperation between courts; preservation of records.
23-37,201 Initial child-custody jurisdiction.
23-37,202 Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.
23-37,203 Jurisdiction to modify determination.
23-37,204 Temporary emergency jurisdiction.
23-37,205 Notice; opportunity to be heard; joinder.
23-37,206 Simultaneous proceedings.
23-37,208 Jurisdiction declines by reason of conduct.
23-37,209 Information to be submitted to court.
23-37,210 Appearance to parties and child.
23-37,301 Definitions; enforcement.
23-37,302 Enforcement under Hague Convention.
23-37,304 Temporary visitation.
23-37,305 Registration of child-custody determination.
23-37,306 Enforcement of registered determination.
23-37,307 Simultaneous proceedings.
23-37,308 Expedited enforcement of child-custody determination.
23-37,309 Service of petition and order.
23-37,311 Warrant to take physical custody of child.
23-37,312 Costs, fees, and expenses.
23-37,313 Recognition and enforcement.
23-37,316 Role of law enforcement.
23-37,401 Application and construction.