Murphy v. Woerner

OPINION

BURKE, Justice.

This is an appeal from a superior court decision modifying a Kansas child custody and support order. It raises the question whether Alaska has jurisdiction to modify the Kansas decree under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act and the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act of 1980.

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

Randall Murphy and Mary Woerner were divorced in Kansas in 1981. Under the original decree, Woerner obtained sole custody of their two children; Murphy was ordered to pay $300 per month child support.

Woerner and the children moved to Alaska in 1982. After several…