Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody
What is the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) in a Florida child custody case? This is a set of rules contained in Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes which provides the framework for a Florida court exercising jurisdiction over a child custody matter. Other states that have also adopted the UCCJEA agree to follow the same rules in enforcing child custody disputes that involve multiple states. These rules were an issue in the case Lindstrom v. Lindstrom, 3D23-2035 (Fla. 3d DCA April 2, 2025).
This appellate opinion does not provide background information about the case, but the father in a paternity action appealed the trial court’s exercise of jurisdiction over child custody issues under the UCCJEA. The appellate court disagreed and provided the following citations: “‘Child custody determination’ . . . does not include an order relating to child support or other monetary obligation of an individual.’). The parties here did not dispute custody of the minor child. As a result, the trial court had subject matter jurisdiction over this paternity action. See Nissen v. Cortez Moreno, 10 So. 3d 1110, 1112 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009).”
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