The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) is a uniform act adopted by every U.S. State except Massachusetts, as of June 2024. The act was introduced in Massachusetts in May of 2024.
The UCCJEA provides a consistent set of standards for courts to determine jurisdiction over child custody matters and to enforce foreign child custody judgments. The UCCJEA is designed to prevent jurisdictional forum shopping based on favorable child custody awards, the UCCJEA ensures custody determinations are made in the child’s home state and facilitates the enforcement of custody and visitation orders across state lines. It also protects victims of child abuse and domestic violence by establishing rules for jurisdiction, enforcement, and modification of child custody orders.
See: Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act: Guide for Court Personnel and Judges
[Last updated in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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