Preventing “Imminent Flight Risks” in Louisiana Child Custody Disputes
Child custody can be a very emotional issue during divorce to say the least. With that said, most parents are able to balance these considerations with the important need of doing what’s in the best interests of their child or children. Unfortunately, in some instances, a parent may make a terrible decision during a custody dispute and flee with his or her child or children, a very such possibility that Louisiana legislation would aim to prevent. Recently approved by a House Committee, Senate Bill 23 would allow an estranged parent to get a court order against the other parent suspected of wanting to flee from Louisiana with the child. This legislation would also create the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, which would streamline the process of returning the child to Louisiana by cutting through the red tape and difficulties of courts which follow different rules.
Naturally, this legislation drew opposition from people who worried that judges would issue warrants based on irrational and unfound parental fears that the other parent was an “imminent flight risk.” While her legislation originally would have given judges the power to issue warrants for parents who were potential flight risks to international or other U.S. locations, Senator Sharon Broome agreed to amend the legislation to just international abductions. Broome added in an online WBRZ story that while this amendment takes away from original intention of her legislation, she would rather see something rather than nothing on the state law books. We’ll keep you updated on any more developments with this important Louisiana child custody legislation.
