UCCJEA
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
When a child, parent, order, or pending case crosses state lines, the first question may be which court has authority to act.
Fort Lauderdale office · Broward, Miami-Dade & Palm Beach
Start with the situation—not the acronym.
A child moved or may move
Residence history, timing, existing orders, and the reason for the move can affect which questions need to be addressed first.
An order exists in another state
Bring the order and identify the issuing court. Registration, enforcement, and modification are related but distinct questions.
A hearing or filing is approaching
Tell intake the date, the court, and what was filed. A deadline can change what counsel needs to evaluate first.
Unsure whether this is a UCCJEA matter? Describe the states, existing orders, and next court date in general terms. The intake team can confirm consultation availability.
Request a consultationCourt authority comes before the parenting decision.
Which court has authority?
The UCCJEA addresses jurisdiction across states. A child’s residence history, existing orders, and pending proceedings are important starting points.
Every case and order matters
An order from another state, a pending filing, or an earlier move can change the analysis. A new address does not automatically transfer authority to a new court.
International facts require separate review
A cross-border situation may also involve a foreign order or the Hague Convention. Identify the countries involved and any travel or return date.
Related official resource: Florida initial custody jurisdiction statute. Source checked September 1, 2026.
Separate jurisdiction from the parenting dispute.
Court authority
The threshold question is whether a court has authority to make, enforce, or change a custody determination. Residence history and existing proceedings matter.
The parenting decision
What arrangement should be ordered is a different question. A move or filing in a new state does not, by itself, resolve court authority.
Answers before you call.
Does moving to Florida automatically move the custody case here?
No. Physical presence alone is not enough to establish initial custody jurisdiction under Florida’s UCCJEA provision. Existing orders and other jurisdictional rules must also be reviewed.
Is the UCCJEA the same as deciding custody?
No. The UCCJEA addresses which court may act. The parenting arrangement itself is a separate question evaluated under the law governing the case.
What should a residence history include?
Prepare the states or countries and approximate dates where the child lived, together with known orders and pending cases. Exact street addresses are not needed for the initial intake conversation.
What should I tell intake first?
Identify the states or countries involved, the court that issued any order, and the next scheduled date. Those facts help the team prepare the consultation efficiently.
Talk with GFC LAW
Tell us the general matter type and any approaching deadline. We will confirm consultation availability and next steps.