WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Legal Information: Alaska

Statutes: Alaska

View all
Updated: 
August 8, 2023

Sec. 25.30.460. Expedited enforcement of child custody determination

(a) A petition under AS 25.30.400–25.30.590 must be verified. A certified copy, or a copy of a certified copy, of the orders sought to be enforced and of an order, if any, confirming registration must be attached to the petition.

(b) A petition for enforcement of a child custody determination must state

(1) whether the court that issued the determination identified the jurisdictional basis it relied on in exercising jurisdiction and, if so, what the basis was;
(2) whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced under this chapter and, if so, must identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;
(3) whether a proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, must identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;
(4) the present physical address of the child and the respondent, if known;
(5) whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody of the child and attorney fees is sought, including a request for assistance from law enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and
(6) if the child custody determination has been registered and confirmed under AS 25.30.430, the date and place of registration.

(c) On the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order directing the respondent to appear in person with or without the child at a hearing and may enter an order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties and the child. The hearing must be held on the next judicial day after service of the order unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The court may extend the date of hearing at the request of the petitioner.

(d) An order issued under (c) of this section must state the time and place of the hearing and advise the respondent that, at the hearing, the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child and the payment of fees, costs, and expenses under AS 25.30.500 and may schedule a hearing to determine whether further relief is appropriate unless the respondent appears and establishes that

(1) the child custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under AS 25.30.430, and that
(A) the issuing court did not have jurisdiction under provisions substantially similar to AS 25.30.300–25.30.390;
(B) the child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under provisions substantially similar to AS 25.30.300–25.30.390; or
(C) the respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with provisions substantially similar to AS 25.30.840 in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or
(2) the child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed under AS 25.30.430 but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under provisions substantially similar to AS 25.30.300–25.30.390.