{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-4602.07","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 16-4602.07","heading":"Inconvenient forum.","body":"(a)\nA court of the District which has jurisdiction under this chapter to make a child-custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the court’s own motion, or request of another court.\n\n(b)\nBefore determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of the District shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including:\n(1)\nWhether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child;\n(2)\nThe length of time the child has resided outside the District;\n(3)\nThe distance between the court in the District and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction;\n(4)\nThe relative financial circumstances of the parties;\n(5)\nAny agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;\n(6)\nThe nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child;\n(7)\nThe ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and\n(8)\nThe familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation.\n\n(c)\nIf a court of the District determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child-custody proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper.\n\n(d)\nA court of the District may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this chapter if a child-custody determination is incidental to an action for divorce or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the divorce or other proceeding.","path":["Title 16. Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]","Chapter 46. Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement.","Subchapter II. Jurisdiction."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/16-4602.07","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"08fc6ff68e3fba3ae9707f00ac61cec5db1f1bb7272430c986cbf4a50c268384","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-4602.06","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-4602.08"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}