Case Update (2021): Greenbank v. Vanzant, loss of continuing exclusive jurisdiction, interplay with grandparent visitation
On March 9, 2021, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed its trial court in Greenbank v. Vanzant . Ms. Vanzant, the paternal grandmother of the child at issue, negotiated a Visitation Agreement with Ms. Greenbank, the child's mother and only living parent. That Visitation Agreement was approved and entered as a court order. The Visitation Agreement gave Ms. Vanzant visitation, including continued visitation if Ms. Greenbank moved to Canada with the child. It also required Ms. Greenbank to give Ms. Vanzant at least 14 days notice before moving to Canada. A few days later, Ms. Greenbank moved to BC, Canada without any notice, and refused to comply with the Visitation Agreement. She failed to appear at a Superior Court hearing about her non-compliance. A warrant was issued for her arrest. In 2013, Ms. Vanzant sought to domesticate the Visitation Agreement/Order in BC, but her application was dismissed in 2014, after the Canadian co...