Lotte U. v. Leo U.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Sheldon M. Rand, J.

The issue before this court is to determine whether Domestic Relations Law, article 5-A, § 75-a et seq. permits an exercise of custody jurisdiction where both petitioner and children have permanent ties to New York City although a similar action is pending in the courts of Switzerland.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The parties were married in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1976 and divorced in Zurich, Switzerland, on June 8, 1982. They purchased an apartment in New York City, but resided there only sporadically during their marriage. Since May 1983, petitioner, Lotte U.,…