Tennessee § 37-1-112 - Transfer to another court within state — Appeals.

§ 37-1-112. Transfer to another court within state — Appeals.

If the child resides in a county of this state and the proceeding is commenced in a court of another county, the court, on motion of a party or on its own motion after a finding of fact, may transfer the proceeding to the county of the child's residence for further action. Like transfer may be made if the residence of the child changes pending the proceeding. The proceeding may be transferred if the child has been adjudicated delinquent or unruly, or neglected or abandoned and other proceedings involving the child are pending in the juvenile court of the county of the child's residence. If a juvenile court proceeding is commenced under this part and a proceeding involving the child's custody is also commenced or pending in the circuit, chancery or general sessions court exercising domestic relations jurisdiction, the juvenile court, on motion of a party or on its own motion after an adjudication making specific findings of fact pursuant to § 37-1-129(a)(2) and after ordering any essential services for the child and family, may transfer the custody proceeding to the court where the pending matter has been commenced. Like transfer may be made if the residence of the child changes during the pendency of the juvenile court proceedings. The transfer shall only occur upon a finding of fact by the transferring court that the transfer will be in the best interest of the child, will promote judicial economy, will provide a more reasonable or convenient forum, or for other good cause. The transferring court may communicate with the receiving court concerning the transfer of the case. The transfer of the custody proceeding to another court exercising domestic relations jurisdiction, except to another juvenile court, shall not occur if the case involves allegations of dependency, neglect or abuse and the child is in the custody of the department of children's services. Certified copies of all legal and social documents and records pertaining to the case on file with the clerk of the court shall accompany the transfer. An appeal of a transfer decision under this part shall be to the court of appeals in accordance with the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. Acts 1970, ch. 600, § 12; 1972, ch. 592, § 1; T.C.A., § 37-212; Acts 2001, ch. 297, §§ 2-4. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2001, ch. 297, § 5 provided that the act shall apply to any case pending or filed on or after July 1, 2001. Any custody order that has been entered by a court exercising domestic relations jurisdiction and that is not the subject of or eligible for appeal on July 1, 2001, shall be valid and is hereby declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. Cross-References. Transfer to another state, § 37-1-141 . Law Reviews. Rules of Procedure for Courts with Juvenile Jurisdiction in Tennessee (R.B.J. Campbelle, Jr.), 18 No. 2 Tenn. B.J. 20 (1982).