§ 50A‑207.  Inconvenient forum.
(a)	A court of this State which has jurisdiction under this Article to make a child‑custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances, and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the court's own motion, or request of another court.
(b)	Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this State shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including:
(1)	Whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child;
(2)	The length of time the child has resided outside this State;
(3)	The distance between the court in this State and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction;
(4)	The relative financial circumstances of the parties;
(5)	Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;
(6)	The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child;
(7)	The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and
(8)	The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation.
(c)	If a court of this State determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child‑custody proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper.
(d)	A court of this State may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this Article if a child‑custody determination is incidental to an action for divorce or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the divorce or other proceeding. (1979, c. 110, s. 1; 1999‑223, s. 3.)