Family Code section 5700.204
(a)
A tribunal of this state may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed after a pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country only if:(1)
the petition or comparable pleading in this state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state or the foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or the foreign country;(2)
the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state or the foreign country; and(3)
if relevant, this state is the home state of the child.(b)
A tribunal of this state may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country if:(1)
the petition or comparable pleading in the other state or foreign country is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this state for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this state;(2)
the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this state; and(3)
if relevant, the other state or foreign country is the home state of the child.
Source:
Section 5700.204, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=5700.204. (updated Jan. 1, 2016; accessed Jul. 7, 2025).
