Over 50 Years Of Providing International Family Law Support To Families Around The Globe

Interstate Family Law FAQs

Last updated on February 18, 2025

Interstate family law is a complex area of practice requiring a broad understanding of overlapping laws and regulations. The attorney at The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A., is committed to helping his clients understand the law so they can make the best decisions for their families. Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding interstate family law:

Is family law governed by state or federal law?

Family legal issues are a matter of state law. Only one state at a time may have jurisdiction over a family law matter. Several interstate pacts govern interstate relocation, child support and child abduction. The facts of your case determine which laws apply, so interstate family law disputes can be complicated. Attorney Lawrence S. Katz helps you understand how various state laws and interstate pacts overlap and apply to your situation.

What is the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act?

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) governs jurisdiction and enforcement in interstate and international child custody matters. The UCCJEA was established to minimize jurisdictional wrangling among states and to prevent parents from forum shopping for a state with favorable custody or child support laws. The UCCJEA limits the jurisdiction of custody matters to one state and establishes uniform criteria for determining jurisdiction. Generally, Florida courts retain jurisdiction over custody and support cases if one parent still lives here.

What is the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children?

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is an interstate agreement enacted by all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The ICPC controls the lawful movement of children from one state to another for the purposes of adoption, foster care or other placement. Both the originating state where the child was born and the receiving state where the adoptive parents live must approve the child’s movement in writing before the child can legally leave the originating state.

What is the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act?

The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) gives a state long-arm jurisdiction over a child support debtor, even when the debtor is no longer a resident of the state where the child lives. This is an exception to the normal rules of law wherein a court would not have jurisdiction over a nonresident. A state court can exercise jurisdiction under this act if one party or child resides in the state or if the parties agree to jurisdiction in a particular state. This act helps with the enforcement of child support orders among states.

What is the Hague Abduction Convention?

The broad purpose of the Hague Abduction Convention is to return abducted children to their habitual residence so a court can enter a custody decree. You can petition to invoke the protection of the Hague Abduction Convention if the other parent or person wrongfully removed or retained your child who is under 16 years of age and you had rights of custody and were exercising those rights at the time. For situations to which the Hague Abduction Convention does not apply, the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act makes it a federal criminal offense for a parent to wrongfully remove or attempt to remove or retain a child outside U.S. borders with the intent to obstruct custodial rights. Mr. Katz has mentored, consulted or been counsel of record in more than 400 Hague Abduction Convention and child abduction cases and has decades of experience in criminal law. He has worked alongside the FBI and obtained warrants of arrest from federal and local authorities for abducting parents.

Trust Mr. Katz’s Many Years Of Experience Handling Interstate Family Issues

The firm’s interstate family law attorney, Lawrence S. Katz, is AV Preeminent* peer-review rated through Martindale-Hubbell since 1976. He has the experience to handle even the most complicated interstate family issues. Call the firm today at 786-304-1180 or contact the firm online to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.