19-9-67
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19-9-67.
(a)
A court of this state which has jurisdiction under this article to make a child
custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it
determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a
court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The issue of inconvenient
forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the court´s own motion, or
request of another court.
(b)
Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this state
shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to
exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the court shall allow the parties to
submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including:
(1)
Whether family violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and
which state could best protect the parties and the child;
(2)
The length of time the child has resided outside this state;
(3)
The distance between the court in this state and the court in the state that
would assume jurisdiction;
(4)
The relative financial circumstances of the parties;
(5)
Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;
(6)
The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending
litigation, including testimony of the child;
(7)
The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the
procedures necessary to present the evidence; and
(8)
The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the
pending litigation.
(c)
If a court of this state determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a
court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the
proceedings upon condition that a child custody proceeding be promptly commenced
in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court
considers just and proper.
(d)
A court of this state may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this
article if a child custody determination is incidental to an action for divorce
or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the divorce or
other proceeding.