Ohio § 3127.21

§ 3127.21.

(A) A court of this state that has jurisdiction under this chapter 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 convenient forum.  The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the court's

own motion, or at the 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 the following: (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 the 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; (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 chapter

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.