Case Update (2021): Koivu v. Koivu; inconvenient forum under UCCJEA
In the unreported opinion of Koivu v. Koivu , the Minnesota Court of Appeals addressed the issue of whether Minnesota should decline jurisdiction over the Koivu children's custody because it was an inconvenient forum as compared to Finland. The couple lived in Minnesota for the better part of every year for the Husband's job as an NHL hockey player, and spent summers and holidays in Finland, where they also had a house. Pursuant to the UCCJEA, the court may decline jurisdiction if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a court of another State (or country) is a more appropriate forum. The parties are allowed to provide information on 8 separate factors to persuade the court. These factors include: (1) protection against domestic violence that has occurred, (2) the length of time the children resided outside of the state, (3) the distance between the two courts, (4) the relative financial circumstances between the par...