W. Va. Code § 48-9-105 – Venue for custodial allocation actions independent of divorce.

(a) Venue for the initial determination of custodial allocation or child custody determination within a divorce action shall be governed by §48-5-106 or §48-20-101 et seq. of this code, or both.
(b) Venue for the initial determination of custodial allocation or child custody determination as between parties who reside in separate states shall be governed by §48-20-101 et seq. of this code.
(c) Venue for modification of custodial allocation or modification of child custody determination which was previously determined in a tribunal of a state other than West Virginia shall be governed by §48-20-101 et seq. of this code.