Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1937 – Expedited enforcement of child custody determination
(a) A petition under this subchapter must be verified. Certified copies of all orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be attached to the petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached instead of the original.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1937
- Child: means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1902
- Child custody determination: means a judgment, decree or other order of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody or visitation with respect to a child. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1902
- Court: means the Family Court of the State. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1902
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Physical custody: means the physical care and supervision of a child. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1902
- State: means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United State Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. See Delaware Code Title 13 Sec. 1902
(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 upon 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, identify the court, the case number and the nature of the proceeding;
(3) Whether any 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, 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 attorneys’ fees is sought and, if so, the relief sought; and
(6) If the child custody determination has been registered and confirmed under § 1934 of this title, the date and place of registration.
(c) If the petition seeks emergency relief or expedited scheduling, the provisions of Rule 65.2 of the Family Court Civil Procedure Rules shall apply.