Under what circumstance does a court have home-state jurisdiction for custody matters?

The correct answer indicates that a court has home-state jurisdiction for custody matters if the child has lived in the state for at least six consecutive months. This is grounded in the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), which establishes that the child's home state is where the child has lived for the six months immediately preceding the custody proceedings. This timeframe is critical because it allows the court to take into account the child's stability and the ties they have to the community in that state.

This six-month rule supports the idea that the jurisdiction should ideally reflect where the child has established a home environment, providing a more relevant basis for making custody decisions. The underlying principle is to ensure that the court has a clear understanding of the child's current living situation and connections, thereby increasing the likelihood that custody arrangements will be in the best interest of the child.

Options indicating residency of the parents or the child’s absence from the state do not establish home-state jurisdiction as effectively as the continuous six-month residency of the child. Being born in a state does not guarantee jurisdiction if the child has not lived there for the necessary duration, so it is necessary to focus on the child's recent living situation rather than their birthplace or parental residency.