NBA star Luka Doncic and ex-fiancée Anamaria Goltes are fighting a cross-continental custody battle over their two daughters, ages 2 and 4 months, both living in Slovenia. Doncic hired celebrity attorney Laura Wasser to dismiss Goltes' California child support petition, arguing California lacks jurisdiction because neither child has lived in the state for six consecutive months, the standard required under both the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and Cal. Fam. Code § 3421.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| What happened | Anamaria Goltes filed a child support petition in California against Luka Doncic; Doncic moved to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction |
| When | Filed March 2026; Doncic says he has not seen his daughters since December 2025 |
| Who is affected | Two minor children, ages 2 and 4 months, currently residing in Slovenia |
| Key statute | Cal. Fam. Code § 3421 (UCCJEA home state jurisdiction) |
| Doncic's attorney | Laura Wasser, known for representing Kim Kardashian and other high-profile clients |
| Parallel action | Doncic filed an injunction in Slovenian courts seeking immediate contact with both children |
California Cannot Decide Custody Unless a Child Has Lived There for 6 Months
Under Cal. Fam. Code § 3421(a)(1), California can exercise jurisdiction over a custody matter only if the state is the child's "home state," defined as the state where the child lived with a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before the proceeding was filed. According to TMZ's reporting, both children reside in Slovenia and have not lived in California for any extended period. If those facts hold, California courts would almost certainly decline jurisdiction.
This is not a technicality. The UCCJEA exists in all 50 states specifically to prevent parents from forum-shopping, which is exactly what Doncic's legal team is alleging Goltes did. The argument is straightforward: Goltes filed in California not because the children have any meaningful connection to the state, but because California's child support guidelines tend to produce higher awards for high-income earners. Under California's guideline formula, a parent earning Doncic's reported $43.5 million annual Lakers salary could face monthly support obligations well into six figures.
How California Child Support Works for High Earners
California calculates child support using a statewide guideline formula found at Cal. Fam. Code § 4055. The formula factors in each parent's net disposable income, the percentage of time each parent has physical custody, and tax filing status. For most families, the formula produces predictable results. For professional athletes earning $40 million or more per year, the numbers become extraordinary.
California courts have discretion to deviate from guideline support under Cal. Fam. Code § 4057(b) when the amount would exceed the children's reasonable needs. Courts have used this provision in cases involving NFL and NBA players to cap support at amounts that reflect actual child-rearing costs rather than a pure percentage of income. Even with a downward departure, support orders for earners at Doncic's income level have historically landed between $20,000 and $50,000 per month in California.
Slovenia, by contrast, uses a needs-based system. Slovenian family courts assess the actual costs of raising a child, the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the parents stayed together, and each parent's financial capacity. The resulting orders are typically far lower than what a California court would impose on an earner making tens of millions annually. The gap between the two systems explains the jurisdictional strategy.
The Laura Wasser Factor
Doncic retained Laura Wasser, whose client list includes Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie, Ryan Reynolds, and Johnny Depp. Wasser's involvement signals two things. First, Doncic is treating this as a top-tier legal battle, not a routine filing. Second, the jurisdictional challenge is likely the centerpiece of the defense. Wasser has extensive experience with international custody disputes involving high-net-worth individuals, and her track record suggests the motion to dismiss will be aggressively litigated.
The choice of attorney also suggests Doncic's team anticipates media attention and wants counsel experienced in managing public narrative alongside courtroom strategy. Wasser has handled some of the most scrutinized divorces in recent American history.
What Happens if California Declines Jurisdiction
If the California court grants the motion to dismiss, the case would effectively shift to Slovenia, where Doncic has already filed his own action seeking contact with the children. Slovenian courts would then control both custody and support determinations under Slovenian family law.
Under the UCCJEA, once a court determines it lacks home-state jurisdiction, it must decline to hear the case unless no other state or country qualifies, which does not apply here. Cal. Fam. Code § 3421(a)(3) allows California to take jurisdiction only when no other state meets the home-state test and the child has a significant connection to California. With both children living in Slovenia, that argument faces steep odds.
There is one potential path for Goltes to keep the case in California. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 3424, California can exercise temporary emergency jurisdiction if a child is present in the state and has been subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse. There is no public reporting suggesting that standard applies here, but emergency jurisdiction provisions have occasionally been invoked in international disputes when one parent raises safety concerns.
Practical Takeaways for California Residents in International Custody Disputes
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Jurisdiction is everything. Before filing any custody or support action in California, confirm the child has lived in California for at least six consecutive months under Cal. Fam. Code § 3421. Filing in the wrong jurisdiction wastes time and money.
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California's child support guidelines favor the lower-earning parent in high-income cases. The guideline formula at Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 produces large support amounts when one parent earns significantly more than the other, which creates incentives for forum-shopping.
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International custody disputes require specialized counsel. The intersection of the UCCJEA, the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, and foreign family law systems demands attorneys experienced in cross-border family litigation.
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Parallel filings in multiple countries complicate enforcement. Doncic filing in Slovenia while Goltes files in California creates competing proceedings that courts must sort out under comity principles, adding months or years to resolution.
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Courts look past procedural maneuvers. If a California judge finds that a petition was filed specifically to exploit favorable support guidelines rather than because the children have genuine ties to the state, the court is likely to dismiss under the UCCJEA's anti-forum-shopping provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you file for child support in California if your child lives in another country?
Generally, no. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 3421, California requires that the child lived in the state for at least six consecutive months before filing. If the child's home state is a foreign country, California courts will typically decline jurisdiction and defer to the country where the child resides. Emergency exceptions exist under Section 3424 but require evidence of abuse or threat.
How much child support would someone earning $43.5 million per year pay in California?
California's guideline formula at Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 can produce monthly support exceeding $100,000 at that income level. However, courts routinely exercise discretion under Section 4057(b) to cap support at the children's reasonable needs, which in past NBA cases has resulted in orders between $20,000 and $50,000 per month depending on custody time split and actual expenses.
What is the UCCJEA and why does it matter in custody cases?
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, codified in California at Cal. Fam. Code §§ 3400-3465, prevents parents from filing custody cases in whichever state offers the most favorable outcome. The UCCJEA requires cases to be heard in the child's home state, defined as where the child lived for six consecutive months before filing. All 50 states have adopted some version of this law.
Who is Laura Wasser and why is her involvement significant?
Laura Wasser is a Los Angeles-based family law attorney who has represented Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, and Ryan Reynolds in divorce proceedings. Her involvement in the Doncic case signals a high-stakes jurisdictional defense strategy. Wasser specializes in high-net-worth dissolutions and international custody disputes, making her one of the most recognized family law attorneys in the United States.
How does Slovenian child support compare to California child support?
Slovenian family courts use a needs-based calculation that assesses actual child-rearing costs and each parent's financial capacity, typically producing lower awards than California's income-percentage formula. For a parent earning $43.5 million annually, the difference could be tens of thousands of dollars per month. California's guideline formula at Section 4055 is among the most generous for the custodial parent in the United States.
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.