English
Español20-5-301. Initial child custody jurisdiction
(a) Except as otherwise provided in W.S. 20-5-304, a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if:
(i) This state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding, or was the home state of the child within six (6) months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in this state;
(ii) A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under a provision of law from that state that is in substantial conformity with paragraph (i) of this subsection, or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum under a provision of law from that state that is in substantial conformity with W.S. 20-5-307 or 20-5-308, and:
(A) The child and the child’s parents, or the child and at least one (1) parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this state other than mere physical presence; and
(B) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child’s care, protection, training and personal relationships.
(iii) All courts of another state having jurisdiction under provisions of law from that state in substantial conformity with paragraph (i) or (ii) of this subsection have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this state is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under a provision of law from that state that is in substantial conformity with W.S. 20-5-307 or 20-5-308; or
(iv) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of this subsection.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section shall be the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this state.
(c) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child shall not be necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.
