What is the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act?

If a child custody determination has been made in your Virginia child custody case, there are binding agreements regarding who can have custody of your child and for what duration. Any breach of these guidelines can be held in violation of the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act.

The Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act gives the appropriate authorities of every state the jurisdiction to enforce the terms of your custody determination. If any other party refuses to return your child and is found in violation of your custody agreements, they can be held liable under the act.

The purpose of the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act was to establish national standards for the enforcement of child custody agreements. Because families tend to move, establishing a national standard has helped state governments better handle child custody claims.

Before the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act was put in place, many parents would relocate to other states where the child custody determinations made in the home state could potentially be deemed invalid. This act mandates that all states give full faith and credit to the custody determination made in the child’s original home state.

Virginia child custody determinations are subject to the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act just as with all other state decisions. If your spouse has relocated to another state and is attempting to file a new child custody claim you may need the help of a professional Virginia child custody attorney.

The attorneys at Hofheimer Family Law Firm have experience helping women through a variety of child custody and divorce proceedings. Contact us today to schedule a legal consultation – (757) 856-6831.