James Thomas Hensley v. Dennis Kanizai and Vanessa Kanizai, Intervenors

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REL: 07/26/2013 Notice: T h i s o p i n i o n i s s u b j e c t t o formal r e v i s i o n b e f o r e p u b l i c a t i o n i n t h e advance s h e e t s o f Southern R e p o r t e r . R e a d e r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o n o t i f y t h e R e p o r t e r o f D e c i s i o n s , Alabama A p p e l l a t e C o u r t s , 300 D e x t e r A v e n u e , M o n t g o m e r y , A l a b a m a 3 6 1 0 4 - 3 7 4 1 ((334) 2 2 9 - 0 6 4 9 ) , o f a n y t y p o g r a p h i c a l o r o t h e r e r r o r s , i n o r d e r t h a t c o r r e c t i o n s may b e made b e f o r e t h e o p i n i o n i s p r i n t e d i n Southern R e p o r t e r . ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS SPECIAL TERM, 2013 2120459 James Thomas Hensley v. Dennis K a n i z a i and Vanessa K a n i z a i , Intervenors Appeal from Lauderdale C i r c u i t (DR-11-532.01) Court THOMAS, J u d g e . The f o l l o w i n g f a c t s a p p e a r i n t h e p l e a d i n g s c o n t a i n e d i n t h e r e c o r d on a p p e a l . and motions James Thomas H e n s l e y ("the f a t h e r " ) a n d Danna K a n i z a i ( " t h e m o t h e r " ) were d i v o r c e d b y t h e Lauderdale C i r c u i t Court ("the c i r c u i t c o u r t " ) on O c t o b e r 1 1 , 2120459 2011. Two J.H.; c h i l d r e n were b o r n their marriage, w h e t h e r t h e m o t h e r ' s o l d e s t c h i l d , R.H., biological The of c h i l d o r was a d o p t e d by i s the father's dispute. a p a r t of the record a p p e a l ; however, the f a t h e r ' s p e t i t i o n f o r m o d i f i c a t i o n of divorce judgment incorporated Court that the the p a r t i e s ' s e t t l e m e n t r e f e r e n c e R.H., t o as " t h e alleges A.H., o r J.H. children"). ("the and father i s i n the p a r t i e s ' d i v o r c e judgment i s not A.H. divorce on the judgment agreement, which d i d not (sometimes c o l l e c t i v e l y r e f e r r e d A judgment of the L a u d e r d a l e j u v e n i l e court") contained i n the r e c o r d Juvenile confirms t h a t the d i v o r c e judgment f a i l e d t o address the custody of the children. On J u l y 6, 2012, the father filed a petition seeking a p r o t e c t i o n - f r o m - a b u s e ("PFA") o r d e r i n t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t ; t h a t petition in i s not contained that p e t i t i o n , the father w h i c h was alleged c h i l d r e n ; he i n the that assigned the trial held on had sought temporary custody of the same day on J u l y 30, However, endangered the the children. The custody of the c h i l d r e n to t h a t he 2012, appeal. c a s e number DR-12-391, mother c i r c u i t c o u r t a w a r d e d ex p a r t e f a t h e r on record filed the 2 his petition. circuit court the After awarded a the 2120459 f a t h e r t e m p o r a r y c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d r e n i n a PFA o r d e r , w h i c h i s n o t c o n t a i n e d i n t h e r e c o r d on a p p e a l . were i n t h e f a t h e r ' s p h y s i c a l c u s t o d y remained O n l y A.H. a n d J.H. on J u l y 3 0 , 2 0 1 2 ; R.H. i n T e n n e s s e e , where a l l t h r e e o f the c h i l d r e n had b e e n l i v i n g w i t h D e n n i s K a n i z a i ("the m a t e r n a l grandfather") and V a n e s s a K a n i z a i ( h e r e i n a f t e r r e f e r r e d t o c o l l e c t i v e l y as "the maternal At grandparents"). some grandfather point filed before July 19, emergency p e t i t i o n s 2012, assigned the maternal case numbers J U - 1 2 - 2 7 6 . 0 1 , J U - 1 2 - 2 7 7 . 0 1 , a n d JU-12-279.01 i n t h e j u v e n i l e court. The r e c o r d does n o t c o n t a i n t h e p e t i t i o n s , record i n d i c a t e s that the maternal of the children i n those g r a n d f a t h e r sought petitions. c o n t a i n s a copy o f a judgment d a t e d the juvenile On circuit seeking July court seeking an o r d e r mother custody on appeal 19, 2012, i n w h i c h the j u v e n i l e - c o u r t a c t i o n s . t o amend a petition the divorce i n the judgment and h o l d i n g t h e mother i n contempt f o r a l l e g e d o f t h e PFA o r d e r . number DR-11-532.01. the July 3 0 , 2012, t h e f a t h e r f i l e d court violations dismissed The r e c o r d but the abused T h a t a c t i o n was a s s i g n e d case I n h i s p e t i t i o n , the father a l l e g e d that drugs and had 3 failed to supervise the 2120459 children. He c h i l d r e n and requested and physical custody the mother answered the father's a l l e g a t i o n s ; she filed maternal to pay child support. petition, denying no o t h e r p l e a d i n g s o r grandparents filed a The the v e r i f i e d motion stated that verified t o i n t e r v e n e , they sought the father had order mother father's motion physically to 6, 2012. In an a w a r d c u s t o d y and a l l e g e d t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n were d e p e n d e n t . further the motions. i n t e r v e n e i n c a s e number DR-11-532.01 on A u g u s t their of f u r t h e r r e q u e s t e d , among o t h e r t h i n g s , an requiring The legal and 1 of They mentally a b u s e d t h e c h i l d r e n and t h a t t h e m o t h e r "had a h i s t o r y o f d r u g and a l c o h o l a b u s e , and r e c e n t l y h a [ d ] e n g a g e d i n n e g l e c t f u l , v o l a t i l e [ , ] and d a n g e r o u s b e h a v i o r t h a t p o s e [ d ] a s e r i o u s of harm t o [ t h e c h i l d r e n ] . " risk According to other statements i n We n o t e t h a t t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t has no j u r i s d i c t i o n t o c o n s i d e r a dependency p e t i t i o n . See A l a . Code 1975, § 12-151 1 4 ( a ) ( p r o v i d i n g t h a t t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t has exclusive o r i g i n a l j u r i s d i c t i o n over proceedings i n which a c h i l d i s a l l e g e d t o be d e p e n d e n t ) . However, t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s c o u l d p r o p e r l y i n t e r v e n e i n the d i v o r c e a c t i o n t o seek c u s t o d y b a s e d on a l l e g a t i o n s t h a t t h e p a r e n t s were u n f i t t o have custody of the c h i l d r e n . See Ex p a r t e T e r r y , 494 So. 2d 628 (Ala. 1996). The factual allegations i n the maternal g r a n d p a r e n t s ' v e r i f i e d motion to i n t e r v e n e are s u f f i c i e n t a l l e g a t i o n s o f u n f i t n e s s t h a t , i f p r o v e n , w o u l d overcome t h e p a r e n t s ' prima f a c i e r i g h t to custody of the c h i l d r e n . 1 4 2120459 the maternal g r a n d p a r e n t s ' v e r i f i e d motion children Tennessee requested children children. maternal had begun l i v i n g in an and October w i t h the maternal grandparents 2010. The 2 award o f "immediate the appointment On A u g u s t 11, 2012, temporary the c i r c u i t to 27, The in grandparents custody" of the f o r the c o u r t granted the i n t e r v e n e and f o r the c h i l d r e n . s e t a h e a r i n g f o r August maternal o f a g u a r d i a n ad l i t e m grandparents' motion g u a r d i a n ad l i t e m to i n t e r v e n e , the circuit appointed a court also 2012. We note t h a t the m a t e r n a l grandparents s t a t e d i n the v e r i f i e d motion t o i n t e r v e n e t h a t the c h i l d r e n began l i v i n g w i t h them i n T e n n e s s e e i n O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 ; h o w e v e r , i n t h e i r motion f o r a d e t e r m i n a t i o n of j u r i s d i c t i o n under the Uniform C h i l d C u s t o d y J u r i s d i c t i o n and E n f o r c e m e n t A c t ("the U C C J E A " ) , c o d i f i e d a t A l a . Code 1975, § 30-3B-101 e t s e q . , w h i c h was n o t v e r i f i e d , the maternal grandparents s t a t e d t h a t the c h i l d r e n b e g a n l i v i n g w i t h them i n O c t o b e r 2011. In their verified m o t i o n t o i n t e r v e n e and i n t h e i r t r i a l b r i e f , t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t the c h i l d r e n had been l i v i n g w i t h them f o r 21 months and f o r a l m o s t 2 y e a r s , r e s p e c t i v e l y , s u g g e s t i n g t h a t t h e O c t o b e r 2010 d a t e i s t h e c o r r e c t d a t e . The d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e d a t e s i s o f no r e a l consequence, h o w e v e r , b e c a u s e , as d i s c u s s e d i n f r a , t h e UCCJEA b a s e s t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f a c h i l d ' s home s t a t e on where t h e c h i l d has lived for the s i x months immediately preceding the commencement of an action seeking a child-custody determination. See A l a . Code 1975, § 3 0 - 3 B - 2 0 1 ( 7 ) . 2 5 2120459 On A u g u s t motion seeking jurisdiction Custody 15, 2012, t h e m a t e r n a l a whether filed a Alabama had over t h e f a t h e r ' s a c t i o n under t h e Uniform Child Jurisdiction determination grandparents and Enforcement Act ("the U C C J E A " ) , c o d i f i e d a t A l a . Code 1975, § 30-3B-101 e t s e q . The m a t e r n a l grandparents alleged Tennessee from October that the 2010 u n t i l children had resided in J u l y 2012, when two o f t h e c h i l d r e n r e l o c a t e d t o Alabama p u r s u a n t t o t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t ' s PFA order. Thus, t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s argued, t h e home s t a t e o f t h e c h i l d r e n a t t h e t i m e o f t h e commencement o f t h e f a t h e r ' s a c t i o n was T e n n e s s e e . See A l a . Code 1975, §§ 30-3B- 102(7) ( d e f i n i n g "home s t a t e " as " [ t ] h e s t a t e i n w h i c h a c h i l d l i v e d w i t h a parent or a person acting as a p a r e n t a t l e a s t s i x c o n s e c u t i v e months i m m e d i a t e l y b e f o r e t h e commencement o f a child custody p r o c e e d i n g " ) , and 30-3B-201(a)(1) (providing t h a t an A l a b a m a c o u r t h a s j u r i s d i c t i o n t o make a c h i l d - c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n i f i t i s t h e home s t a t e o f t h e c h i l d a t t h e t i m e of t h e commencement of a child-custody proceeding). maternal grandparents petition s e e k i n g emergency temporary in H a r d i n County, further alleged Tennessee. t h a t they had f i l e d a custody of the c h i l d r e n R e l y i n g on § 30-3B-206(b) 6 The -- 2120459 which provides proceeding that when i s pending a simultaneous i n another child-custody state having jurisdiction p u r s u a n t t o i t s v e r s i o n o f t h e UCCJEA, a c o u r t e n t e r t a i n i n g a child-custody proceeding must stay the proceeding c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h t h e c o u r t o f t h a t o t h e r s t a t e -- t h e grandparents requested father maternal t h a t the c i r c u i t c o u r t c o n f e r w i t h Tennessee c o u r t r e g a r d i n g The and filed a the i t s jurisdiction. brief in response to the maternal grandparents' motion to determine j u r i s d i c t i o n ; i n h i s brief, the requested retain father jurisdiction c o u r t had of the that action. the He but he reported Lauderdale Hardin County o f R.H. that " e l e c t e d to stay f u r t h e r proceedings [the] court conceded t h a t the awarded emergency c u s t o d y grandparents, until circuit the Tennessee [ r e g a r d i n g A.H. Court[] County Court i n Alabama." to the 3 confer[red] The Tennessee maternal court had and J.H.] with the f a t h e r argued that The r e c o r d d o e s n o t r e f l e c t t h a t t h e T e n n e s s e e c o u r t communicated w i t h the c i r c u i t c o u r t . S e c t i o n 30-3B-110 governs communication between courts considering j u r i s d i c t i o n a l i s s u e s or simultaneous proceedings under the UCCJEA. A l t h o u g h § 30-3B-110(b) s t a t e s t h a t communication between c o u r t s regarding schedules, calendars, or court r e c o r d s n e e d n o t be r e c o r d e d o r d i s c l o s e d t o t h e p a r t i e s , § 30-3B-110(c) r e q u i r e s t h a t a l l o t h e r communication between c o u r t s be r e c o r d e d . 3 7 2120459 the circuit jurisdiction 204, court had jurisdiction PKPA"). under 5 According June 23, 2 0 1 2 . and i t s c o n t i n u i n g 4 Kidnapping Prevention He a s s e r t e d A.H. Act b e c a u s e , he a l l e g e d , A.H. a n d J.H. h a d since June 23, 2012, a n d h a d that before before June 23, 2012, A.H. h a l f t h e week w i t h the father other h a l f with the maternal grandparents." that § 30-3B- amount o f t i m e i n A l a b a m a a n d T e n n e s s e e J.H. h a d " s p e n t contended emergency t o t h e f a t h e r , A l a b a m a was t h e home e x c l u s i v e l y i n Alabama l i v e d an e q u a l and o f t h e PFA o r d e r the Parental s t a t e o f A.H. a n d J.H., lived temporary o v e r A.H. a n d J.H. u n d e r A l a . Code 1975, b a s e d on i t s e n t r y ("the acquired a n d J.H. h a d s p e n t and t h e Specifically, Monday he to Friday T h e PFA o r d e r was a c h i l d - c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n . A l a . Code 1975, § 3 0 - 3 B - 1 0 2 ( 3 ) . S e c t i o n 30-3B-102(4) e x p r e s s l y includes w i t h i n the d e f i n i t i o n of " c h i l d custody proceeding" a "proceeding f o r ... p r o t e c t i o n f r o m d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e , i n w h i c h t h e i s s u e [ o f c h i l d c u s t o d y ] may a p p e a r . " Thus, t h e PFA a c t i o n , i n w h i c h t h e i s s u e o f c h i l d c u s t o d y was l i t i g a t e d , was a c h i l d - c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g a s d e f i n e d b y t h e UCCJEA, a n d t h e r e s u l t i n g PFA o r d e r was a c h i l d - c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n , w h i c h i s d e f i n e d a s an o r d e r " p r o v i d i n g f o r t h e l e g a l c u s t o d y , p h y s i c a l custody, or v i s i t a t i o n with respect t o a c h i l d . " A l a . Code 1975 § 3 0 - 3 B - 1 0 2 ( 3 ) . 4 S e e 28 U.S.C. § 1738A(d) ( j u r i s d i c t i o n o f a c o u r t o f a s t a t e t h a t h a s made a c h i l d - c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n c o n t i n u e s as l o n g as t h a t c o u r t h a s j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r t h e l a w s o f t h e s t a t e and t h e s t a t e remains t h e r e s i d e n c e o f t h e c h i l d o r o f any c o n t e s t a n t ) . 5 8 2120459 e v e n i n g w i t h t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s i n Tennessee and F r i d a y e v e n i n g t o Monday m o r n i n g w i t h him i n Alabama. F i n a l l y , t h e f a t h e r a s s e r t e d t h a t the maternal grandparents had a c q u i e s c e d to the circuit court's jurisdiction by appearing and i n t e r v e n i n g i n t h e c i r c u i t - c o u r t a c t i o n t o seek custody o f t h e c h i l d r e n a n d b y b e i n g p r e s e n t a t t h e PFA h e a r i n g . The maternal grandparents filed a responsive explaining the legal basis underlying their circuit court Tennessee. that, transfer I n that brief, a t the time jurisdiction the divorce maternal grandparents, "predominantly" and, did they not a l t e r the i n Tennessee further that argued, of judgment brief request that the the action the maternal grandparents c h i l d r e n r e s i d e d w i t h them i n T e n n e s s e e . the 6 was to alleged entered, the Thus, a c c o r d i n g t o children had resided f o r " a p p r o x i m a t e l y two y e a r s " visits conclusion. with the father i n Alabama See § 30-3B-102(7) t h a t " [ a ] p e r i o d o f temporary absence o f t h e c h i l d (stating ... i s p a r t o f t h e [ s i x - m o n t h ] p e r i o d " u s e d t o d e t e r m i n e t h e home s t a t e o f The father's acquiescence argument i s unavailing. " [ J ] u r i s d i c t i o n t o make a c h i l d c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n [ u n d e r t h e U C C J E A ] i s s u b j e c t m a t t e r j u r i s d i c t i o n , " a n d "an a g r e e m e n t o f t h e p a r t i e s t o c o n f e r j u r i s d i c t i o n on a c o u r t t h a t w o u l d not o t h e r w i s e have jurisdiction under [ t h e UCCJEA] i s ineffective." A l a . Code 1975, § 30-3B-201, O f f i c i a l Comment. 6 9 2120459 a child). circuit Based court children. on that that argument, Tennessee they i s the contended home i n the state of the A l t h o u g h they conceded t h a t the c i r c u i t c o u r t had e x e r c i s e d t e m p o r a r y emergency j u r i s d i c t i o n o v e r t h e c h i l d r e n ' s c u s t o d y i n t h e PFA a c t i o n u n d e r § 3 0 - 3 B - 2 0 4 ( b ) , t h e y that only t h e Tennessee court could exercise u n d e r t h e UCCJEA t o e n t e r a f i n a l c h i l d - c u s t o d y The m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s l a t e r claimed, school established i n Tennessee documents name o f t h e s c h o o l that some documents t h a t , two y e a r s ; any i n f o r m a t i o n the c h i l d r e n attended which the c h i l d r e n attended determination. the c h i l d r e n f o r the past d i d not include jurisdiction f i l e d a motion t o dismiss the f a t h e r ' s a c t i o n , t o which they attached they argued had attended however, those e s t a b l i s h i n g the or the l o c a t i o n at school. On J a n u a r y 24, 2013, t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t entered an order g r a n t i n g t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s ' m o t i o n and d i s m i s s i n g t h e action without conclusions to subject-matter court stated including support any i t s order arguments o f c o u n s e l of i t s determination jurisdiction in findings under that fact that t h e UCCJEA. i t had legal i t lacked The circuit considered and t h e motions and b r i e f s 10 or only the p a r t i e s 2120459 had f i l e d i n r u l i n g on t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s ' m o t i o n . f a t h e r f i l e d a motion t o a l t e r , and requested a hearing, again The amend, o r v a c a t e t h e j u d g m e n t arguing that the c i r c u i t had a c q u i r e d j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r t h e UCCJEA. The c i r c u i t court court d e n i e d t h e f a t h e r ' s p o s t j u d g m e n t m o t i o n on F e b r u a r y 28, 2 0 1 3 . The father timely On a p p e a l , challenges the father the c i r c u i t amend t h e d i v o r c e lacked appealed. court's three subject-matter jurisdiction argues t h a t t o communicate w i t h first under the c i r c u i t the court to that i t UCCJEA. e r r e d by t h e T e n n e s s e e c o u r t u n d e r §§ 30- argues t h a t t h e c i r c u i t court the duration He 7 dismissal of h i spetition 3 B - 2 0 4 ( d ) , 3 0 - 3 B - 2 0 6 ( b ) , a n d 30-3B-110. for issues. j u d g m e n t b a s e d on t h e c o n c l u s i o n Secondly, the father failing raises Finally, the father e r r e d by f a i l i n g t o s e t a d a t e o f a temporary-custody order as r e q u i r e d b y T h e f a t h e r r a i s e s no a r g u m e n t s p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t ' s d i s m i s s a l o f h i s p e t i t i o n i n s o f a r as i t a l l e g e d t h a t t h e m o t h e r was i n c o n t e m p t o f t h e PFA o r d e r . When a p a r t y f a i l s t o a r g u e an i s s u e i n h i s o r h e r a p p e l l a t e b r i e f , t h a t i s s u e i s deemed w a i v e d . See B o s h e l l v . K e i t h , 418 So. 2 d 89, 92 ( A l a . 1982) ("When an a p p e l l a n t f a i l s t o a r g u e an i s s u e i n i t s b r i e f , t h a t i s s u e i s w a i v e d . " ) . Because t h e f a t h e r r a i s e s no a r g u m e n t p e r t i n e n t t o t h e m o t h e r , we have removed h e r as a named a p p e l l e e . 7 11 2120459 § 30-3B-204(c) and by f a i l i n g t o s p e c i f y t h e grounds upon which i t based i t s d e c i s i o n t o dismiss h i s a c t i o n . The of which UCCJEA p r o v i d e s state regarding a child. may t h e framework f o r t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n enter a child-custody determination S e c t i o n 30-3B-201 p r o v i d e s : "(a) E x c e p t as o t h e r w i s e p r o v i d e d i n S e c t i o n 30-3B-204, a c o u r t o f t h i s s t a t e h a s j u r i s d i c t i o n t o make an i n i t i a l c h i l d c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n o n l y i f : "(1) T h i s s t a t e i s t h e home s t a t e o f t h e c h i l d on t h e d a t e o f t h e commencement o f t h e p r o c e e d i n g , o r was t h e home s t a t e o f t h e c h i l d w i t h i n s i x months b e f o r e t h e commencement o f t h e p r o c e e d i n g and t h e c h i l d i s absent from t h i s state but a parent or person a c t i n g as a parent continues to l i v e i n t h i s state; "(2) A c o u r t o f a n o t h e r s t a t e does n o t have j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r s u b d i v i s i o n ( 1 ) , o r a c o u r t o f t h e home s t a t e o f t h e c h i l d h a s d e c l i n e d t o e x e r c i s e j u r i s d i c t i o n on t h e ground that this state i s t h e more a p p r o p r i a t e f o r u m u n d e r S e c t i o n 30-3B-207 o r 30-3B-208, a n d : "a. The child and t h e c h i l d ' s p a r e n t s , o r t h e c h i l d and a t l e a s t one p a r e n t o r a p e r s o n acting as a p a r e n t , have a s i g n i f i c a n t connection with t h i s s t a t e o t h e r t h a n mere p h y s i c a l presence; and "b. S u b s t a n t i a l e v i d e n c e i s available in this state concerning the c h i l d ' s care, 12 2120459 protection, training, personal r e l a t i o n s h i p s ; and " (3) A l l c o u r t s h a v i n g jurisdiction u n d e r s u b d i v i s i o n (1) o r (2) have d e c l i n e d t o e x e r c i s e j u r i s d i c t i o n on t h e g r o u n d t h a t a court of this state is the more a p p r o p r i a t e forum t o determine the custody o f t h e c h i l d u n d e r S e c t i o n 30-3B-207 o r 30-3B-208; o r "(4) No c o u r t o f any o t h e r s t a t e w o u l d have jurisdiction under the criteria s p e c i f i e d i n s u b d i v i s i o n (1), (2), or (3). "(b) Subsection (a) is the exclusive j u r i s d i c t i o n a l b a s i s f o r making a c h i l d custody d e t e r m i n a t i o n by a c o u r t o f t h i s s t a t e . "(c) P h y s i c a l presence of a necessary or s u f f i c i e n t t o make a determination." The child child is not custody UCCJEA d e f i n e s "home s t a t e " i n § 3 0 - 3 B - 1 0 2 ( 7 ) , w h i c h reads i n i t s e n t i r e t y : "The s t a t e i n w h i c h a c h i l d l i v e d w i t h a p a r e n t o r a p e r s o n a c t i n g as a p a r e n t f o r at l e a s t s i x consecutive months immediately before the commencement o f a c h i l d c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g . I n t h e c a s e o f a c h i l d l e s s t h a n s i x months o f age, the t e r m means t h e s t a t e i n w h i c h t h e c h i l d l i v e d f r o m b i r t h w i t h any o f t h e p e r s o n s m e n t i o n e d . A p e r i o d o f temporary absence of the child o r any of the mentioned persons i s p a r t of the p e r i o d . " Section 30-3B-204 g o v e r n s That s e c t i o n t e m p o r a r y emergency reads: 13 jurisdiction. 2120459 "(a) A court of this s t a t e has temporary emergency j u r i s d i c t i o n i f t h e c h i l d i s p r e s e n t i n t h i s s t a t e a n d t h e c h i l d h a s been a b a n d o n e d o r i t i s necessary i n an e m e r g e n c y t o p r o t e c t t h e c h i l d because t h e c h i l d , o r a s i b l i n g o r parent o f t h e child, i s subjected to or threatened with m i s t r e a t m e n t o r abuse. "(b) I f t h e r e i s no p r e v i o u s c h i l d custody d e t e r m i n a t i o n t h a t i s e n t i t l e d t o be e n f o r c e d u n d e r t h i s chapter and a c h i l d custody p r o c e e d i n g has n o t been commenced i n a c o u r t of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 30-3B-201 through 30-3B-203, a c h i l d c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n made u n d e r t h i s s e c t i o n r e m a i n s i n e f f e c t u n t i l an o r d e r i s o b t a i n e d from a c o u r t o f a s t a t e h a v i n g j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r S e c t i o n s 30-3B-201 t h r o u g h 30-3B-203. I f a c h i l d c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g has n o t been o r i s n o t commenced i n a c o u r t o f a s t a t e h a v i n g j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r S e c t i o n s 30-3B-201 t h r o u g h 30-3B-203, a c h i l d custody determination made u n d e r this section becomes a f i n a l d e t e r m i n a t i o n , i f i t s o p r o v i d e s a n d t h i s s t a t e becomes t h e home s t a t e o f t h e c h i l d . "(c) I f t h e r e i s a p r e v i o u s child custody d e t e r m i n a t i o n t h a t i s e n t i t l e d t o be e n f o r c e d u n d e r t h i s c h a p t e r , o r a c h i l d c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g has been commenced i n a c o u r t o f a s t a t e h a v i n g j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r S e c t i o n s 30-3B-201 t h r o u g h 30-3B-203, a n y o r d e r i s s u e d by a c o u r t o f t h i s s t a t e under t h i s s e c t i o n must s p e c i f y i n t h e o r d e r a p e r i o d t h a t t h e c o u r t c o n s i d e r s adequate t o a l l o w t h e person s e e k i n g an o r d e r t o o b t a i n an o r d e r f r o m t h e s t a t e h a v i n g jurisdiction under Sections 30-3B-201 through 30-3B-203. The o r d e r i s s u e d i n t h i s s t a t e r e m a i n s i n e f f e c t u n t i l an o r d e r i s o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e o t h e r state w i t h i n the period s p e c i f i e d or the period expires. "(d) A c o u r t o f t h i s s t a t e w h i c h h a s been a s k e d t o make a c h i l d c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n u n d e r t h i s s e c t i o n , upon b e i n g i n f o r m e d t h a t a c h i l d custody 14 2120459 p r o c e e d i n g h a s been commenced i n , o r a c h i l d c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n h a s been made b y , a c o u r t o f a s t a t e h a v i n g j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r S e c t i o n s 30-3B-201 t h r o u g h 30-3B-203, s h a l l i m m e d i a t e l y communicate w i t h t h e other court. A court of this s t a t e which i s exercising jurisdiction pursuant to Sections 30-3B-201 t h r o u g h 30-3B-203, upon b e i n g informed t h a t a c h i l d c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g h a s been commenced i n , o r a c h i l d c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n h a s b e e n made by, a c o u r t o f a n o t h e r s t a t e u n d e r a s t a t u t e s i m i l a r t o t h i s s e c t i o n s h a l l i m m e d i a t e l y communicate w i t h the c o u r t o f t h a t s t a t e t o r e s o l v e t h e emergency, p r o t e c t t h e s a f e t y o f t h e p a r t i e s and t h e c h i l d , and determine a p e r i o d f o r the d u r a t i o n o f the temporary order." The r e c o r d c o n t a i n s o n l y p l e a d i n g s , m o t i o n s , b r i e f s , a n d a few d o c u m e n t a r y e x h i b i t s and documents The circuit purporting court (a j u d g m e n t o f t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t t o be s c h o o l - a t t e n d a n c e d i d not hold an evidentiary records). hearing; i n s t e a d , t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t h e a r d o n l y arguments o f c o u n s e l and considered t h e v a r i o u s motions and b r i e f s f i l e d by t h e f a t h e r and t h e m a t e r n a l Fountain grandparents, most o f w h i c h a r e n o t e v i d e n c e . F i n . , I n c . v. H i n e s , 788 So. 2d 155, 159 ( A l a . 2000) (quoting o t h e r cases f o r t h e p r o p o s i t i o n s t h a t "'[m]otions and arguments of "'[s]tatements counsel are not and that i n motions a r e n o t evidence and a r e t h e r e f o r e not e n t i t l e d t o e v i d e n t i a r y w e i g h t . ' " ) . grandparents' evidence'" However, t h e m a t e r n a l m o t i o n t o i n t e r v e n e was v e r i f i e d ; 15 a "[v]erified 2120459 pleading[] c o n s t i t u t e [ s ] [an] a f f i d a v i t [ ] evidence." App. a n d [ i s ] t r e a t e d as Mead v . S t a t e , 449 So. 2d 1279, 1280 ( A l a . C r i m . 1984). In his initial without subject-matter children reside on a p p e a l , to authority, citation argument that jurisdiction were b o r n i n Alabama p a r t i e s without under i n Alabama and the c i r c u i t although the custody court has the continue i t divorced circuit proceeding o v e r an i n i t i a l i s satisfied, see § The child-custody o n l y i f one o f t h e b a s e s f o r j u r i s d i c t i o n 30-3B-201(a) the a t the time This contention i s wholly without merit. c o u r t has j u r i s d i c t i o n to of t h e i r c h i l d r e n , the c i r c u i t c o u r t c o u l d have a d j u d i c a t e d c h i l d c u s t o d y of the d i v o r c e . argues, because t h e UCCJEA and t h e p a r e n t s because, addressing the father 30-3B-201(b), under § or i f the r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r t e m p o r a r y emergency j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r § 303B-204 a r e met. None of the facts provides a basis for determining in the present case. the father relies on j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r t h e UCCJEA Instead, the evidence before the c i r c u i t c o u r t i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n ' s home s t a t e a t t h e t i m e o f t h e commencement o f t h e f a t h e r ' s a c t i o n was T e n n e s s e e , b e c a u s e they had l i v e d there with the maternal 16 grandparents f o r at 2120459 least s i x months before the father commenced his s e e k i n g t o amend t h e d i v o r c e j u d g m e n t t o a d d r e s s t h e of the children. The temporary father action custody 8 next contends emergency j u r i s d i c t i o n that the circuit court over h i s p e t i t i o n had t o amend T h e f a t h e r has n o t c h a l l e n g e d t h e m a t e r n a l g r a n d p a r e n t s ' s t a t u s as " p e r s o n [ s ] a c t i n g as a p a r e n t " u n d e r § 30-3B102(13). Under t h e UCCJEA a " p e r s o n a c t i n g as a p a r e n t " i s : 8 "A p e r s o n , o t h e r t h a n a p a r e n t , who: " a . Has p h y s i c a l c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d o r has had p h y s i c a l c u s t o d y f o r a p e r i o d o f six c o n s e c u t i v e months, including any temporary absence, within one year i m m e d i a t e l y b e f o r e t h e commencement o f a c h i l d c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g ; and "b. Has b e e n a w a r d e d l e g a l c u s t o d y by a c o u r t or c l a i m s a r i g h t t o l e g a l custody under the law o f t h i s s t a t e . " § 30-3B-102(13). " P h y s i c a l c u s t o d y " i s d e f i n e d as " [ t ] h e p h y s i c a l c a r e and s u p e r v i s i o n o f a c h i l d . " § 30-3B-102(14). T h i s c o u r t has d e t e r m i n e d t h a t a g r a n d p a r e n t who h a d p h y s i c a l c u s t o d y o f a c h i l d and who was s e e k i n g l e g a l c u s t o d y o f t h a t c h i l d q u a l i f i e d as a p e r s o n a c t i n g as a p a r e n t u n d e r § 30-3B102(13). P a t r i c k v. W i l l i a m s , 952 So. 2d 1131, 1139 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2006). The maternal grandparents, like the g r a n d p a r e n t i n P a t r i c k , had p h y s i c a l c u s t o d y of the c h i l d r e n f o r a t l e a s t s i x months o f t h e y e a r p r e c e d i n g t h e f i l i n g o f t h e f a t h e r ' s p e t i t i o n t o amend t h e d i v o r c e j u d g m e n t and have been actively seeking legal custody of the children. T h e r e f o r e , each of the m a t e r n a l grandparents i s a person a c t i n g as a p a r e n t u n d e r § 3 0 - 3 B - 1 0 2 ( 1 3 ) . P a t r i c k , 952 So. 2d a t 1139. 17 2120459 the divorce j u d g m e n t u n d e r § 30-3B-204. has c o n s i s t e n t l y a s s e r t e d However, the father t h a t t h e PFA o r d e r was e n t e r e d u n d e r t h e t e m p o r a r y emergency j u r i s d i c t i o n p r o v i d e d i n § 30-3B-204. We agree that child-custody the c i r c u i t court had j u r i s d i c t i o n d e t e r m i n a t i o n i n t h e PFA a c t i o n u n d e r § 30-3B- 2 0 4 ( a ) , b e c a u s e t h e c h i l d r e n were p r e s e n t the to a l l e g a t i o n s o f t h e PFA p e t i t i o n protect animal. over the the children from b e i n g i n this s t a t e and r a i s e d an e m e r g e n c y n e e d exposed t o a dangerous 9 However, we find no s u p p o r t f o r the father's t h a t t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t was o p e r a t i n g u n d e r § 30-3B-204 a t t h e time i t c o n s i d e r e d the f a t h e r ' s p e t i t i o n judgment t o address emergency custody jurisdiction of i s , by argument t o amend t h e d i v o r c e the children. i t s nature, Temporary temporary, i s d e s i g n e d t o a d d r e s s c u s t o d y i n s i t u a t i o n s i n w h i c h a c h i l d has been a b a n d o n e d o r i s i n n e e d o f e m e r g e n c y p r o t e c t i o n , limited i n duration Section 30-3B-204(b) as p r o v i d e d provides i n § 30-3B-204(b) that, when no other and i s and ( c ) . custody The v e r i f i e d motion t o intervene stated that the a l l e g a t i o n s i n t h e PFA p e t i t i o n i n c l u d e d an a l l e g a t i o n t h a t " t h e m o t h e r a l l o w e d t h e c h i l d r e n t o be a r o u n d a d a n g e r o u s a n i m a l , a n d one o f t h e c h i l d r e n was i n j u r e d . " 9 18 2120459 proceeding been i s pending made), emergency obtained an order jurisdiction (and when no p r e v i o u s d e t e r m i n a t i o n h a s entered under remains from a c o u r t h a v i n g the court's i n effect until jurisdiction temporary an o r d e r i s u n d e r t h e UCCJEA. B e c a u s e no p r o c e e d i n g was p e n d i n g i n T e n n e s s e e a t t h e t i m e t h e PFA o r d e r was e n t e r e d , t h e PFA o r d e r w o u l d r e m a i n i n e f f e c t u n t i l a c o u r t t h a t h a d nonemergency j u r i s d i c t i o n o v e r a c h i l d c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e c h i l d r e n e n t e r e d an o r d e r (or until t h e PFA order expired). § 30-3B-204(b). The e m e r g e n c y t h a t t h e f a t h e r s o u g h t t o a d d r e s s i n t h e PFA a c t i o n had b e e n r e s o l v e d b y t h e o r d e r g r a n t i n g h i m t e m p o r a r y custody, and, of thus, commencement no emergency existed of the father's action at the time the t o amend the divorce j u d g m e n t upon w h i c h t o b a s e t e m p o r a r y e m e r g e n c y jurisdiction under § 30-3B-204(a). The father initial custody father determination i s arguing jurisdiction action, further asserts that, that t h e PFA o r d e r regarding once i s the the children. the c i r c u i t court The exercised t o make a c h i l d - c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n i n t h e PFA i t would then maintain continuing jurisdiction over t h e c h i l d r e n ' s c u s t o d y u n d e r t h e PKPA, § 1 7 3 8 A ( d ) , b e c a u s e t h e 19 2120459 father, a "contestant" state. We e x p l a i n e d u n d e r t h e PKPA, s t i l l t h e i n t e r p l a y b e t w e e n t h e PKPA a n d t h e UCCJEA i n P a t r i c k v . W i l l i a m s , Civ. resides i n this 952 So. 2d 1131, 1138 App. 2 0 0 6 ) : "'The Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act ("PKPA"), 28 U.S.C. § 1738A, a n d Alabama's v e r s i o n o f t h e U n i f o r m C h i l d Custody J u r i s d i c t i o n and Enforcement A c t ("UCCJEA"), c o d i f i e d a t A l a . Code 1975, § 30-3B-101 e t s e q . , g o v e r n when a s t a t e h a s jurisdiction t o decide a child-custody i s s u e . The PKPA s t a t e s t h a t continuing j u r i s d i c t i o n remains i n a s t a t e t h a t has made a c h i l d - c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n p r o v i d e d that the state continues to have j u r i s d i c t i o n under t h e s t a t e ' s laws and t h e c h i l d o r a t l e a s t one " c o n t e s t a n t " r e s i d e s i n t h a t s t a t e . 28 U.S.C. § 1 7 3 8 A ( d ) ; s e e a l s o H o l l o w a y v. H o l l o w a y , 519 So. 2d 5 3 1 , 532 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1 9 8 7 ) . ' "M.J.P. v. K.H., 923 So. 2d 1114, 1116 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 5 ) . The P a r e n t a l K i d n a p p i n g P r e v e n t i o n A c t ('PKPA') d e f i n e s a 'contestant' as 'a p e r s o n , i n c l u d i n g a p a r e n t o r g r a n d p a r e n t , who c l a i m s a r i g h t t o c u s t o d y o r v i s i t a t i o n o f a c h i l d . ' 28 U.S.C. § 1 7 3 8 A ( b ) ( 2 ) . "Under t h e PKPA, t h e t r i a l court retained continuing j u r i s d i c t i o n t o modify the c h i l d r e n ' s c u s t o d y s o l o n g as i t r e t a i n e d j u r i s d i c t i o n u n d e r the l a w s o f A l a b a m a a n d a t l e a s t one o f t h e c o n t e s t a n t s c o n t i n u e d t o l i v e i n A l a b a m a . 28 U.S.C. § 1 7 3 8 A ( d ) . The m a t e r n a l g r a n d m o t h e r h a s l i v e d i n Tallapoosa County a t a l l times r e l e v a n t t o t h i s a p p e a l , a n d she meets t h e c r i t e r i a o u t l i n e d i n t h e PKPA t o be a ' c o n t e s t a n t ' b e c a u s e she i s a p e r s o n c l a i m i n g a r i g h t t o c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d r e n . See 28 20 (Ala. 2120459 U.S.C. § 1 7 3 8 A ( b ) ( 2 ) . T h e r e f o r e , o u r a n a l y s i s n e x t t u r n s t o whether t h e t r i a l court could, under Alabama's v e r s i o n o f t h e U n i f o r m Child Custody J u r i s d i c t i o n a n d E n f o r c e m e n t A c t ('the U C C J E A ' ) , exercise continuing jurisdiction t o modify the c h i l d r e n ' s c u s t o d y . 28 U.S.C. § 1 7 3 8 A ( d ) . "In order t o e x e r c i s e c o n t i n u i n g j u r i s d i c t i o n over t h e matter, the t r i a l c o u r t must have h a d jurisdiction to make an initial custody determination." What the court's proper father misunderstands i s that the e x e r c i s e o f t e m p o r a r y emergency jurisdiction does n o t e q u a t e t o i t s h a v i n g a c q u i r e d j u r i s d i c t i o n initial child-custody Continuing state jurisdiction does UCCJEA. n o t have under § t o make an 30-3B-201(a). u n d e r t h e PKPA does n o t e x i s t i f t h e jurisdiction under i t s version of the The c i r c u i t c o u r t was e x e r c i s i n g t e m p o r a r y e m e r g e n c y jurisdiction custody under § 30-3B-204(b) determination determination emergency until determination circuit a entered jurisdiction court jurisdiction that when i t made i n t h e PFA a c t i o n . during the typically may exercise continues properly A the c h i l d - child-custody of temporary i n effect exercise only nonemergency over a c h i l d - c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e c h i l d r e n e n t e r s an o r d e r . See § 30-3B-204(b) & ( c ) . r a r e i n s t a n c e s , s u c h as when a c h i l d - c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g 21 Only i n i s not 2120459 commenced i n a s t a t e h a v i n g 30-3B-202, o r 30-3B-203, jurisdiction u n d e r §§ 30-3B-201, does a c h i l d - c u s t o d y e n t e r e d u n d e r § 30-3B-204 determination have t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f b e c o m i n g a f i n a l c h i l d - c u s t o d y d e t e r m i n a t i o n , and, even then, o n l y i f t h e state becomes t h e home s t a t e o f t h e c h i l d provides that i t determination. In may become a final the present 30-3B-201(a)(1), circuit case, the maternal temporary grandparents jurisdiction by under § e x p i r e upon e n t r y o f a c h i l d - c u s t o d y t h e Tennessee emergency court. jurisdiction The exercise " i s extremely 'to p r o t e c t jurisdiction 30-3B-203] 1048, 1051 under enters [ A l a . Code an o r d e r . ' " ( A l a . C i v . App. Official Comment). entered pursuant jurisdiction the c h i l d Therefore, until 2008) (quoting § as a r e t h a t has 30-3B-201 M.B.L. v. G.G.L., through 1 So. 3d 30-3B-204, t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t ' s PFA o r d e r to i t s exercise u n d e r § 30-3B-204(b) 22 the state 1975, §§ of limited, a l l o w i n g t h e c o u r t t o make o n l y s u c h t e m p o r a r y o r d e r s necessary have i . e . , T e n n e s s e e , a n d t h e PFA o r d e r e n t e r e d b y court w i l l determination child-custody § 30-3B-204(b). i n i t i a t e d an a c t i o n i n t h e s t a t e h a v i n g the and i f t h e order of temporary emergency i s n o t an i n i t i a l child- 2120459 custody determination a n d c a n n o t s e r v e as a means b y w h i c h t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t c o u l d a c q u i r e j u r i s d i c t i o n i t does n o t o t h e r w i s e have u n d e r t h e UCCJEA. The father f u r t h e r argues more c o n v e n i e n t permits a that the c i r c u i t f o r u m u n d e r § 30-3B-207. court having jurisdiction it i s an i n c o n v e n i e n t t h e UCCJEA " i f i t determines forum under t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s a c o u r t o f a n o t h e r s t a t e i s a more a p p r o p r i a t e 3B-207(a). having would be under t h e UCCJEA a more convenient jurisdiction under t h e UCCJEA. c o u l d n o t have s e c u r e d by d e t e r m i n i n g forum That jurisdiction a that § 30- a s t a t e not t o determine than to and t h a t forum." However, t h e s t a t u t e does n o t p e r m i t jurisdiction is a S e c t i o n 30-3B-207 under decline to exercise that j u r i s d i c t i o n court that i t state having i s , the c i r c u i t court over the f a t h e r ' s a c t i o n t h a t i t w o u l d be a more c o n v e n i e n t forum than Tennessee. I n t h e f a t h e r ' s s e c o n d i s s u e on a p p e a l , the circuit court e r r e d by f a i l i n g he a r g u e s t o communicate w i t h t h e Tennessee c o u r t under § 30-3B-204(d), § 30-3B-206(b), 30-3B-110. Section between c o u r t s . 30-3B-204(d) requires However, as we have e x p l a i n e d , 23 that and § communication by t h e time 2120459 the f a t h e r commenced h i s a c t i o n s e e k i n g judgment the emergency was over, t o amend t h e d i v o r c e the issue having been r e s o l v e d b y t h e e n t r y o f t h e PFA o r d e r u n d e r § 3 0 - 3 B - 2 0 4 ( b ) . The c i r c u i t c o u r t c o u l d n o t have a c q u i r e d t e m p o r a r y e m e r g e n c y jurisdiction over the f a t h e r ' s p e t i t i o n t o amend t h e d i v o r c e j u d g m e n t u n d e r § 30-3B-204, so t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t h a d no d u t y to communicate w i t h t h e Tennessee c o u r t under § 30-3B-204(d). The f a t h e r ' s a r g u m e n t b a s e d on § 30-3B-206(b) a n d § 30- 3B-110, a l t h o u g h stronger, i s also unavailing. S e c t i o n § 30- 3B-206(b) s t a t e s : "(b) E x c e p t as o t h e r w i s e p r o v i d e d i n S e c t i o n 30-3B-204, a c o u r t o f t h i s s t a t e , b e f o r e h e a r i n g a c h i l d custody proceeding, s h a l l examine t h e c o u r t documents a n d o t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n s u p p l i e d b y t h e p a r t i e s p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 30-3B-209. I f t h e c o u r t d e t e r m i n e s t h a t a c h i l d c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g has been commenced i n a c o u r t i n another state having j u r i s d i c t i o n s u b s t a n t i a l l y i n accordance with t h i s chapter, the court of t h i s state s h a l l stay i t s proceeding and communicate w i t h t h e c o u r t o f t h e other s t a t e . I f the court of the state having j u r i s d i c t i o n s u b s t a n t i a l l y i n accordance with t h i s c h a p t e r does n o t d e t e r m i n e t h a t t h e c o u r t o f t h i s s t a t e i s a more a p p r o p r i a t e f o r u m , t h e c o u r t o f t h i s state s h a l l dismiss the proceeding." The father argues that, once i t learned o f t h e Tennessee a c t i o n , t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t was r e q u i r e d t o c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h t h e Tennessee court under § 30-3B-206(b). 24 The father also 2120459 c o n t e n d s t h a t t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t was r e q u i r e d , u n d e r § 30-3B110(d), t o make a r e c o r d of that t h a t r e c o r d a v a i l a b l e t o him. circuit in a n d t o make F u r t h e r , he c o m p l a i n s t h a t t h e court e r r e d i n f a i l i n g t o a l l o w him t o present t h e form which communication of testimony, states participate that as p e r m i t t e d "[t]he court may i n the communication by § allow [between facts 30-3B-110(b), the p a r t i e s to courts]. I f the p a r t i e s are not able t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n the communication, must be g i v e n the opportunity arguments b e f o r e Certainly, the c i r c u i t court determination parties. Official provides that "may done be affidavit grandparents on e v i d e n c e the presentation through a briefed presented the to § t o base i t s presented by t h e however, o f f a c t s and l e g a l argument hearing As or, i f appropriate, noted legal above, issue, motion and p l e a d i n g o r m o t i o n , no a f f i d a v i t , by the p a r t i e s the maternal containing The f a t h e r p r e s e n t e d 25 legal 30-3B-110, a verified pertaining to jurisdiction. and i s made." i s required Comment o r memorandum." extensively facts a d e c i s i o n on j u r i s d i c t i o n jurisdictional The to present they facts no v e r i f i e d a n d no o t h e r e v i d e n c e , and 2120459 he n e v e r s p e c i f i c a l l y r e q u e s t e d an e v i d e n t i a r y h e a r i n g the circuit court entered i t s order dismissing his F u r t h e r m o r e , a l t h o u g h § 30-3B-206(b) r e q u i r e s this state court to of the c o n c e r n i n g the reverse any stay i t s proceeding state in it that communicate w i t h child-custody m i g h t have o c c u r r e d ( A l a . C i v . App. lacked P. was i s harmless need not The over the the in the children c h i l d r e n and were l i v i n g w i t h dispute t h a t the under c i r c u i t court determined that father's verified had a c t i o n b a s e d on motion lived with the c h i l d r e n had to intervene, the financial maternal allegations support to children while maternal grandparents. the That e v i d e n c e , A c c o r d i n g to the r a r e l y v i s i t e d with the error 881, i n the motion, the f a t h e r d i d not p r o v i d e not the 2d g r a n d p a r e n t s s i n c e O c t o b e r 2010. the of proceeding Ramsey v. Ramsey, 95 So. l e g a l arguments p r e s e n t e d t o i t . contained that See 2008) . jurisdiction e v i d e n c e and proved a court 1 0 a t r i a l c o u r t ' s judgment f o r f a i l i n g t o communicate i f error which a action. same c h i l d o r c h i l d r e n i s p e n d i n g , we R u l e 45, A l a . R. App. 888 which and before The they father been l i v i n g a t l e a s t did part- T h e f i r s t t i m e t h a t t h e f a t h e r r e q u e s t e d an e v i d e n t i a r y h e a r i n g on t h e s u b j e c t - m a t t e r - j u r i s d i c t i o n i s s u e was i n h i s postjudgment motion. 10 26 2120459 time with the maternal parents' grandparents d i v o r c e judgment since i n October the entry of the 2 0 1 1 , a l t h o u g h he d i d a l l e g e t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n were i n h i s c u s t o d y on t h e weekends. However, the father affidavit p r o v i d e d no c o n t r a d i c t o r y evidence v i a or testimony. The c i r c u i t c o u r t had b e f o r e i t u n c o n t r a d i c t e d evidence f r o m w h i c h i t c o u l d have c o n c l u d e d t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n h a d been in the p h y s i c a l least custody of the maternal grandparents s i x months before t h e commencement of the for at father's a c t i o n and t h a t T e n n e s s e e was t h e c h i l d r e n ' s home s t a t e . Any communication w i t h t h e Tennessee c o u r t would not l i k e l y have impacted the subject-matter living circuit court's jurisdiction conclusion because that i t lacked the children with the maternal grandparents had been i n Tennessee f o r over s i x months a t t h e t i m e t h e f a t h e r commenced h i s a c t i o n s e e k i n g to amend t h e d i v o r c e j u d g m e n t . Therefore, because the c i r c u i t Ramsey, 995 So. 2d a t 888. c o u r t had b e f o r e i t evidence i n d i c a t i n g t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n h a d been l i v i n g i n T e n n e s s e e f o r more than father's s i x months action, we preceding cannot the conclude commencement that the c i r c u i t of the court e r r e d by f a i l i n g t o communicate w i t h t h e Tennessee c o u r t and 27 2120459 by f a i l i n g t o h o l d an e v i d e n t i a r y h e a r i n g , which the f a t h e r did not s p e c i f i c a l l y request before the c i r c u i t court its order The entered dismissing the action. f a t h e r ' s f i n a l arguments a r e t h a t t h e c i r c u i t e r r e d by f a i l i n g t o s e t t h e d u r a t i o n court of a temporary-custody o r d e r under § 30-3B-204(c) and by n o t a d d r e s s i n g jurisdiction o r s p e c i f y i n g t h e g r o u n d s upon w h i c h i t b a s e d i t s d i s m i s s a l . Because t h e c i r c u i t that i t lacked custody court's order subject-matter determination, i n this jurisdiction action determined t o make a child- § 30-3B-204(c), which governs orders i s s u e d by a c o u r t e x e r c i s i n g temporary emergency j u r i s d i c t i o n , is not applicable. To t h e e x t e n t the f a t h e r argues t h a t the c i r c u i t c o u r t was r e q u i r e d t o s t a t e i t s f a c t u a l and legal conclusions i n i t s order, determinations we r e j e c t h i s a r g u m e n t . No p r o v i s i o n i n t h e UCCJEA r e q u i r e d t h e c i r c u i t c o u r t t o make w r i t t e n f i n d i n g s o r c o n c l u s i o n s i n an o r d e r e n t e r e d u n d e r i t s provisions. I n c o n c l u s i o n , we r e j e c t t h e f a t h e r ' s a r g u m e n t s t h a t t h e circuit court action seeking circuit had t e m p o r a r y emergency j u r i s d i c t i o n t o amend t h e d i v o r c e c o u r t ' s PFA o r d e r , entered 28 judgment over h i s and t h a t t h e pursuant t o i t s temporary 2120459 emergency j u r i s d i c t i o n child-custody jurisdiction the to the determination upon which i n the c i r c u i t c o u r t . c i r c u i t c o u r t d i d not communicate w i t h father's failing by u n d e r § 3 0 - 3 B - 2 0 4 ( b ) , was the contentions to judgment custody initial continuing conclude that commit r e v e r s i b l e e r r o r by Tennessee c o u r t . that the Finally circuit court failing we reject erred to s e t the d u r a t i o n of a temporary-custody order failing action base F u r t h e r , we make w r i t t e n f i n d i n g s or order d i s m i s s i n g the f a t h e r ' s a c t i o n . the to an seeking of the circuit court t o amend h i s d i v o r c e conclusions the and in i t s A c c o r d i n g l y , we dismissing by affirm father's judgment t o a d d r e s s the of the c h i l d r e n . AFFIRMED. Thompson, P . J . , and Pittman Moore, J . , c o n c u r s i n t h e 29 and Donaldson, J J . , concur. result, without writing.

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