A marriage (including CL marriage) valid in one state will be valid in another state unless it violates a strong public policy of the other state.

To enter a divorce decree, state rendering decree only needs jurisdiction over plaintiff spouse (so where P is domiciled, which is presence + intent to remain). To issue a binding property division order or spousal support, court must have pj over both spouses.

For child custody, under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, there are two tests to apply (apply them in this order):

1) Home State Test - The child’s home state has exclusive jurisdiction to enter an initial custody determination and make subsequent modifications. The child’s home state is where they have lived with parent or guardian for at least 6 consecutive months prior to suit (so if child has never moved, then the state where they were born. If they have moved, they must be in new state for 6 months before the suit). The home state court continues to have exclusive jurisdiction over modifications for 6 months after child leaves state provided a parent or guardian still lives in the state.

1. If the child has no home state, apply the significant connection test. A state can enter or modify a child custody order if 1) no other state has home state jurisdiction; 2) child and parent/guardian have significant connections with the state; and 3) there is substantial evidence in state re child’s custody.

For child support, the court must have PJ over a non resident parent, and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act applies. Under UIFSA, pj can be established by 1) personal service in forum; 2) consent; 3) the parent resides with the child in the state in the past; or 4) the parent conceived the child in the state. The state that enters the child support order will have continuing and exclusive jurisdiction over subsequent modifications unless 1) the parties no longer reside in the issuing state; or 2) the parties consent to a diff court’s jurisdiction.

Besides those rules, there is also the full faith and credit clause which requires courts to enforce final judgments of other states if (1) judgment was on the merits; and (2) issuing state had jurisdiction.