Guam § 39102 - Definitions.

Full text of Guam Guam Code Annotated § 39102 — Definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 39102. Definitions.

As used in this Act:

(a) ‘Abandoned’ means left without provision for reasonable and

necessary care or supervision.

(b) ‘Child’ means an individual who has not attained eighteen (18)

years of age.

(c) ‘Child-custody determination’ means a judgment, decree, or

COL11192013

CH. 39 UNIFORM CHILD-CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT

other order of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody,

or visitation with respect to a child. The term includes a permanent,

temporary, initial, and modification order. The term does not include an

order relating to child support or other monetary obligation of an

individual.

(d) ‘Child-custody proceeding’ means a proceeding in which legal

custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child is an

issue. The term includes a proceeding for divorce, separation, neglect,

abuse, dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination of parental

rights, and protection from domestic violence, in which the issue may

appear. The term does not include a proceeding involving juvenile

delinquency, contractual emancipation, or enforcement under Article 3.

(e) ‘Commencement’ means the filing of the first pleading in a

proceeding.

(f) ‘Court’ means an entity authorized under the law of a State or

Territory to establish, enforce, or modify a child-custody determination.

(g) ‘Home State’ means the State or Territory in which a child

lived with a parent or a person acting as a parent for at least six (6)

consecutive months immediately before the commencement of a child-

custody proceeding. In the case of a child less than six (6) months of

age, the term means the State or Territory in which the child lived from

birth with any of the persons mentioned. A period of temporary absence

of any of the mentioned persons is part of the period.

(h) ‘Initial determination’ means the first child-custody

determination concerning a particular child.

(i) ‘Issuing court’ means the court that makes a child-custody

determination for which enforcement is sought under this Act.

(j) ‘Issuing State’ means the State or Territory in which a child-

custody determination is made.

(k) ‘Modification’ means a child-custody determination that

changes, replaces, supersedes, or is otherwise made after a previous

determination concerning the same child, whether or not it is made by

the court that made the previous determination.

(l) ‘Person’ means an individual, corporation, business trust,

estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint

venture, government; governmental subdivision, agency, or

COL11192013

CH. 39 UNIFORM CHILD-CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT

instrumentality; public corporation; or any other legal or commercial

entity.

(m) ‘Person acting as a parent’ means a person, other than a

parent, who:

(1 has physical custody of the child or has had physical

custody for a period of six (6) consecutive months, including any

temporary absence, within one (1) year immediately before the

commencement of a child-custody proceeding; and

(2) has been awarded legal custody by a court or claims a

right to legal custody under the laws of Guam.

(n) ‘physical custody’ means the physical care and supervision of a

child.

(o) ‘State’ means a State of the United States, the District of

Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam or any

territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United

States.

(p) ‘Warrant’ means an order issued by a court authorizing law

enforcement officers to take physical custody of a child.

2013 NOTE: Numbers and/or letters were altered to adhere to the Compiler’s alpha-

numeric scheme in accordance to 1 GCA § 1606.

Frequently Asked Questions About Guam § 39102

What does Guam Code Annotated § 39102 cover?

Section 39102 ("Definitions.") is part of the Guam Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Guam. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Guam § 39102?

A common citation format is "Guam Code Annotated § 39102" (Guam). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Guam law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Guam official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Guam attorney.

How does Guam § 39102 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Guam can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Guam.