UCCJEA—Enforcing Parenting Plans Across State Lines

Co-parenting across state lines can be challenging. If you and your child’s other parent live in different states after a divorce, understanding how to approach interstate parenting plan enforcement can help you protect yourself. An experienced divorce attorney can also explain your rights and options based on your unique circumstances if you live here in Bucks County, PA, or if the other parent does.  

Understanding the UCCJEA

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, or UCCJEA, is a law that determines which state has the legal authority to make custody decisions when a child’s parents live in different states. This helps prevent parents from seeking different custody rulings in multiple states and allows for the enforcement of custody orders from other states. 

This law prioritizes a child’s home state as the one with jurisdiction over custody matters. The “home state” is generally where the child has lived with a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before the custody proceeding. 

If the child’s permanent residence has changed to another state, you must generally wait six additional months for the child to meet the “home state” requirement. At this point, you can establish that the new state has jurisdiction. 

Understanding your obligations under the UCCJEA can be challenging, so it is wise to consult with an attorney about how this law applies to your custody arrangement. 

Considerations for Co-Parenting Across State Lines  

Living in a different state from your child’s other parent may complicate your parenting plan. The following tips can help you maintain a successful custody arrangement despite these challenges:

• Follow all parenting plans and agreements: Stick to your written custody agreement or parenting plan whenever possible. If your plan does not address certain scenarios, consider revising it to provide clarity. A custody order issued in one state remains enforceable in another under the UCCJEA. 
• Communicate whenever necessary: Co-parenting arrangements across states often require greater communication to ensure the child’s well-being. Even if you and your child’s other parent are not on good terms, you may need to set issues aside and communicate for the sake of your child. 
• Address travel plans in your custody agreements: Your parenting plan should include specific details about how your child will travel between parents. Who will make arrangements? Who will drive them, and where? Who will pay travel costs? This can also provide clarity and help prevent disputes. 

Protecting Your Child’s Best Interests

Interstate parenting plan enforcement can be challenging, and conflict or confusion may arise between you and your child’s other parent. However, the goal in all communications should be to protect your child’s best interests.

Focus on facilitating a smooth custody arrangement that minimizes stress and anxiety for your child. In some cases, this means no longer splitting custody “50/50” but coming up with another arrangement that offers more stability. 

If your co-parent violates any part of the custody order, speak with an attorney about your options for enforcement across state lines. 

Seek Legal Assistance With Interstate Custody Disputes 

If you are struggling to navigate parental relocation laws and interstate parenting plan enforcement, an experienced family law attorney can help. Contact Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., today at (866) 349-4265 to arrange a confidential consultation