Del. Code Ann. tit. 13, § 1926

Inconvenient forum

73 Del. Laws, c. 426, § 1;
  1. (a) A court of this State 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.
  2. (b) Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this State 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:

    1. (1) Whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child;
    2. (2) The length of time the child has resided outside this State;
    3. (3) The distance between the court in this State and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction;
    4. (4) The relative financial circumstances of the parties;
    5. (5) Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;
    6. (6) The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child;
    7. (7) The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and
    8. (8) The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation.
  3. (c) If a court of this State 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.
  4. (d) A court of this State 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.

73 Del. Laws, c. 426, § 1

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