This is an official California Judicial Council family law form, which may be used in domestic litigation in California. Enter the information as indicated on the form and file with the court as appropriate.
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (McCrea) is a legal framework that establishes rules for determining jurisdiction and enforcing child custody orders between different states within the United States. McCrea ensures that custody disputes are resolved by the appropriate state's court and prevents conflicting custody orders. The McCrea form format serves as a crucial document in these custody cases. It is designed to gather relevant information about the child, parents, and any existing custody orders. This form provides a comprehensive overview of the child's custody arrangement to ensure the court has all the necessary details to make informed decisions. The McCrea form format typically includes the following sections: 1. Child's Information: This section includes the child's name, date of birth, and current address. It may also require details about any siblings or other family members involved in the custody dispute. 2. Parental Information: Both parents' full names, addresses, contact numbers, and employment details are typically requested. This section may also ask for information regarding any legal proceedings involving either parent. 3. Custody Orders: If there are existing custody orders, this section requires providing the details of the orders, court names, case numbers, and relevant dates. It helps ensure that the new jurisdiction respects the existing orders and avoids conflicting judgments. 4. Residence History: This section requires a history of the child's residence for the past five years, including the addresses, dates, and duration of each residence. It helps determine which state has jurisdiction under the McCrea guidelines. 5. Child's Significant Connections: This section seeks details about the child's significant connections, such as schools attended, extracurricular activities participated in, and any healthcare providers guiding their physical or emotional well-being. 6. Parent's Relationship History: Details about the relationship history of the parents, such as marriage, separation, and divorce dates, are often required. Additionally, any history of domestic violence or child abuse may need to be disclosed. Different jurisdictions may have slightly varying McCrea form formats. However, the basic components mentioned above generally remain consistent across states. Some states may modify the format to meet specific legal requirements or additional information necessary for their jurisdiction. While the format may vary, the purpose of all McCrea form formats remains the same — to gather comprehensive information about the child, parents, custody orders, and relevant history. Having an accurately completed McCrea form is critical for courts to make custody determinations in the best interest of the child while respecting existing custody orders across state lines.