Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic confirmed on March 10, 2026, that he has separated from his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, and is engaged in a custody dispute over their two daughters, Gabriela (born November 2023) and Olivia (born December 2025). According to ESPN and TMZ, Goltes filed a petition for child support and attorney fees in California, while both daughters currently reside with her in Slovenia—raising complex questions about international jurisdiction that California family courts face increasingly often.
Key Facts
| What Happened | Luka Doncic separated from fiancée Anamaria Goltes; custody dispute over 2 daughters |
|---|---|
| When | Separation announced March 10, 2026; Goltes filed CA petition (date unreported); Doncic filed Slovenian injunction Feb. 26, 2026 |
| Where | Dual filings: California (child support/fees) and Slovenia (custody/contact rights) |
| Children's Location | Both daughters residing in Slovenia since May 2025; Gabriela born in U.S., Olivia born in Slovenia |
| Key Statute | California Family Code § 3421 (UCCJEA jurisdiction); § 4900-5005 (UIFSA child support) |
| Practical Impact | Demonstrates how California courts can assert child support jurisdiction even when children live abroad |
Why This Matters Legally
This case illustrates a critical principle in international family law: custody jurisdiction and child support jurisdiction operate under entirely different legal frameworks. California can establish child support orders without having custody jurisdiction over the children. Under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), codified in California Family Code sections 4900-5005, California courts may exercise child support jurisdiction when one parent resides in the state, even if the children live in another country. Meanwhile, custody determinations fall under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), California Family Code sections 3400-3465, which generally requires the child's "home state" to have jurisdiction.
According to The Washington Post, one daughter spent only three months in California last spring, while the other has never been to the state. This timing matters enormously: under California Family Code § 3421, the "home state" for custody purposes is where a child has lived for at least six consecutive months immediately before the proceeding (or since birth if under six months old). Slovenia—not California—appears to meet this standard for both children.
Yet Goltes strategically filed in California for child support. Why? Because Doncic's legal residence and earnings are tied to California during the NBA season. The Lakers pay him through California, where he maintains a residence and works approximately 82 games per year (41 home games plus practices). Under UIFSA principles, California has a legitimate interest in establishing support obligations for a resident parent, regardless of where the children live.
How California Law Handles This
California applies two separate uniform acts to resolve these cross-border disputes. Understanding the distinction is essential for anyone facing international custody or support issues.
Child Custody Jurisdiction (UCCJEA)
Under California Family Code § 3421, California courts have initial custody jurisdiction only if California is the child's "home state" or was the home state within six months before the proceeding began (with a parent still residing here). If no state qualifies as the home state, California can assert "significant connection" jurisdiction when the child and at least one parent have substantial ties to California and substantial evidence about the child's care exists here.
Crucially, California Family Code § 3405 treats foreign countries as "states" for UCCJEA purposes, unless the foreign country's custody law violates fundamental human rights principles. This means Slovenia's custody courts have the same jurisdictional status as another U.S. state. Because both daughters have lived primarily in Slovenia since May 2025 (making it their home state), Slovenian courts likely have primary custody jurisdiction.
Doncic's February 26, 2026, filing of an interim injunction in Slovenian courts seeking contact with his daughters reflects this jurisdictional reality. Slovenia—where the children actually reside—is the proper forum for custody determinations.
Child Support Jurisdiction (UIFSA)
Child support follows different rules. California Family Code sections 4900-5005 incorporate UIFSA, which permits California courts to establish child support when the state has personal jurisdiction over the obligor parent (Doncic), even if the children live elsewhere. According to California Department of Child Support Services, California participates in the 2007 Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support, which became effective in the United States in 2017 and includes 33 participating countries.
While Slovenia is not a Hague Convention country for child support, California law still allows foreign countries to be treated as "states" under UIFSA if they have laws permitting recognition and enforcement of California support orders. Once California issues a support order, it can be registered and enforced in Slovenia through bilateral enforcement mechanisms or international treaties.
Goltes's California petition reportedly seeks only child support and attorney fees—not custody orders. This narrow scope reflects sound legal strategy: California has clear jurisdiction to order Doncic to pay support based on his California residence and income, but California lacks jurisdiction to make custody determinations about children whose home state is Slovenia.
Practical Takeaways
If you're facing an international custody or support dispute involving California, here's what this case teaches:
-
Understand that custody and support are separate proceedings. You can file for child support in California if your ex lives here, even if your children live abroad. Conversely, custody decisions must generally be made in the children's home state or country.
-
The six-month residency rule is critical. Under California Family Code § 3421, a child's "home state" is where they lived for six consecutive months immediately before the custody case began. If your children recently moved abroad, California may retain jurisdiction for up to six months after their departure if you still live here.
-
File strategically in the correct jurisdiction. Doncic filed in Slovenia for custody contact rights (the proper forum), while Goltes filed in California for child support (also proper). Filing in the wrong jurisdiction wastes time and money.
-
Expect enforcement challenges with non-Hague countries. Slovenia is not a party to the Hague Child Support Convention. While California can issue a support order, enforcing it in Slovenia may require additional legal steps, including registering the order in Slovenian courts. Consult an attorney experienced in international family law.
-
Document your connection to California. If you're the parent seeking California jurisdiction, gather evidence of your California residence, employment, and ties to the state. If you're opposing California jurisdiction, document the children's primary residence abroad and their lack of meaningful connection to California.
-
Consider temporary emergency jurisdiction carefully. California Family Code § 3424 permits California courts to exercise temporary emergency jurisdiction if a child is present in California and has been abandoned or needs emergency protection. This is a narrow exception and does not apply when children are safely residing with a parent abroad.
-
Hire counsel licensed in both jurisdictions. International family law cases require coordination between attorneys in both countries. Doncic and Goltes likely have legal teams in both California and Slovenia to navigate these parallel proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can California courts order child support if the children don't live in California?
Yes. Under California Family Code sections 4900-5005 (UIFSA), California courts can establish child support obligations when the paying parent resides in California, even if the children live in another state or country. California maintains jurisdiction as long as one parent or the children continue to live in the state, or both parents agree in writing to keep jurisdiction in California. In Doncic's case, his California residence and Lakers income give California courts authority to set support amounts.
What determines which state or country has custody jurisdiction?
Under California Family Code § 3421, the child's "home state" has primary custody jurisdiction. The home state is where the child lived for at least six consecutive months immediately before the custody case began (or since birth if under six months old). For Doncic's daughters, Slovenia is the home state because they have lived there continuously since May 2025. California generally cannot make custody determinations about children whose home state is another jurisdiction.
How does California enforce child support orders in other countries?
California participates in the Hague Convention on International Recovery of Child Support (33 countries as of 2017) and uses bilateral enforcement agreements with non-Hague countries. Once a California court issues a support order, the receiving parent can register that order in the foreign country's courts for enforcement. For non-Hague countries like Slovenia, enforcement may require additional legal proceedings in Slovenian courts to recognize and enforce the California order under Slovenian law.
If one child was born in California, does that give California permanent custody jurisdiction?
No. Birthplace alone does not establish custody jurisdiction. California Family Code § 3421 requires the child to have lived in California for at least six consecutive months to establish California as the home state. Doncic's older daughter, Gabriela, was born in the United States in November 2023 but has lived primarily in Slovenia since May 2025, making Slovenia her current home state for custody purposes.
What happens when custody orders conflict between two countries?
Under California Family Code § 3405, California treats foreign countries as "states" under the UCCJEA, meaning foreign custody orders must be recognized and enforced if they were issued under jurisdictional standards substantially similar to California's UCCJEA standards and do not violate fundamental human rights. If Slovenia issues a custody order first, California courts must generally recognize that order. The first court to properly assert jurisdiction typically retains continuing exclusive jurisdiction. This is why Doncic filed in Slovenia on February 26, 2026—to establish Slovenian jurisdiction over custody matters.
Finding Legal Representation for International Family Law Matters
International custody and support disputes require specialized legal expertise. California parents facing cross-border family law issues should seek attorneys with experience in both the UCCJEA and UIFSA frameworks, as well as familiarity with international treaties like the Hague Convention. If you're dealing with a custody dispute involving children living abroad, or if your ex-spouse lives in California but your children reside elsewhere, consult a qualified California family law attorney who can coordinate with counsel in the foreign jurisdiction.
Doncic's case highlights the increasing complexity of modern family law, where professional athletes, military families, international businesspeople, and immigrant families routinely face custody disputes spanning multiple countries. Understanding which court has authority over which issues—and filing in the correct forum—can mean the difference between years of litigation and a relatively swift resolution.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.