The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 15 : Domestic Relations

Chapter 020 : Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

Subchapter 002 : Jurisdiction

• § 1071. Initial child custody jurisdiction

  (a) Except as otherwise provided in section 1074 of this title, a Vermont court has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if:

  (1) Vermont is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding or was the home state of the child within six months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from Vermont, but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in Vermont;

  (2) a court of another state does not have jurisdiction under subdivision (1) of this subsection, or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that Vermont is the more appropriate forum under section 1077 or 1078 of this title, and:

  (A) the child and the child’s parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with Vermont other than mere physical presence; and

  (B) substantial evidence is available in Vermont concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships;

  (3) all courts having jurisdiction under subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the grounds that a Vermont court is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under section 1077 or 1078 of this title; or

  (4) no court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in subdivision (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection.

  (b) Subsection (a) of this section is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a Vermont court.

  (c) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination. (Added 2011, No. 29, § 1.)