Child Custody Issues Across State Borders, with Brian Walters | Episode 6

Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA): Interstate Custody Issues ExplainedInterstate child custody disputes can become legally complex when parents live, travel, or relocate across state lines. In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Ryan Kalamaya is joined by Texas family law attorney Brian Walters to explain how the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) determines which state has authority to decide custody issues.Ryan and Brian walk through real-world scenarios involving relocation, second homes, temporary moves, and multi-state families. They explain how courts determine a child’s “home state,” how judges communicate across state lines, and how custody orders are enforced or modified when families move. This episode is essential listening for parents, attorneys, and professionals navigating interstate custody disputes in Colorado, Texas, and beyond.Guest Information:Brian Walters is a Texas family law attorney and partner at Walters Gilbreath, one of the largest family law firms in Texas, with offices in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. He is also the host of the Texas Family Law Podcast. Brian regularly handles complex divorce and custody cases involving interstate jurisdiction, relocation disputes, and enforcement of out-of-state custody orders under the UCCJEA.Episode OutlineWhat Is the UCCJEA and Why It ExistsAn overview of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, why it was adopted nationwide, and how it prevents competing custody orders across state lines.Divorce Jurisdiction vs. Custody JurisdictionWhy divorce filings and child custody jurisdiction are governed by different legal standards—and how a court can have authority over one but not the other.Determining the Child’s “Home State”How courts decide which state has jurisdiction based on where a child has lived during the previous six months, and why short-term relocations typically do not shift jurisdiction.Temporary Moves, Second Homes, and COVID-Era RelocationsHow extended stays, seasonal residences, and pandemic-related moves complicate custody jurisdiction analysis.When Courts in Different States CommunicateHow judges conduct interstate conference calls to resolve jurisdiction disputes and why these conversations are consistent across UCCJEA states.What is Divorce at Altitude? Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado. To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at [email protected].************************************************************************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.