Lakers star Luka Doncic, represented by Laura Wasser, filed a motion in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 2026 seeking to dismiss ex-fiancée Anamaria Goltes' child support petition for daughters Gabriela (2) and Olivia (4 months), arguing California lacks jurisdiction because the children live in Slovenia — where Doncic already filed parallel proceedings in February 2026. The dismissal hearing is set for May 2026, according to ESPN.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Doncic filed a motion to dismiss Goltes' California child support petition |
| When | Filed April 2026; hearing scheduled May 2026 |
| Where | Los Angeles Superior Court (family law division) |
| Who's affected | Luka Doncic, Anamaria Goltes, daughters Gabriela (2) and Olivia (4 months) |
| Key statutes | Cal. Fam. Code § 3421 (UCCJEA); Cal. Fam. Code § 5700.201 (UIFSA) |
| Impact | Tests whether California courts can exercise jurisdiction when children reside abroad and parallel foreign proceedings exist |
Why this matters legally
This case directly tests California's home-state jurisdiction rules under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). The outcome will determine whether a high-income parent domiciled in California can be compelled to litigate support here when the children and custodial parent live in another country and foreign proceedings are already pending.
The core legal question is which forum — Los Angeles or Ljubljana — is the children's "home state" (or its international equivalent) under Cal. Fam. Code § 3402. Home state means the state where a child lived with a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before the custody proceeding began. If Gabriela and Olivia have lived exclusively in Slovenia, California almost certainly is not their home state for custody purposes, and the UCCJEA requires California courts to defer.
Child support jurisdiction operates under a separate statute — UIFSA, codified at Cal. Fam. Code § 5700.201 — which can reach a nonresident obligor if the obligor resides in California. That is where Goltes' theory gains traction: Doncic lives and earns in Los Angeles, which arguably creates personal jurisdiction for a support order even if custody belongs in Slovenia. California frequently bifurcates these questions, and the May 2026 hearing will likely confront that split head-on.
How California law handles this
California treats international jurisdiction disputes under the UCCJEA the same way it treats interstate disputes. Cal. Fam. Code § 3405 extends the UCCJEA's framework to foreign countries, meaning Slovenia is treated as if it were another U.S. state for custody-jurisdiction analysis. A California court must decline jurisdiction if another jurisdiction — including Slovenia — qualifies as the home state and has not declined to hear the case.
Under Cal. Fam. Code § 3421, a California court has initial custody jurisdiction only if (1) California is the child's home state on the date proceedings commence, (2) no other state has home-state jurisdiction or the home state declines, or (3) no other state would have jurisdiction. With Slovenia presumably qualifying as the children's home country and Doncic's February 2026 Slovenian filing predating Goltes' California petition, the simultaneous-proceedings rule in Cal. Fam. Code § 3426 generally requires the second-filed court to stay its case and communicate with the first-filed court.
Child support is governed separately. Under UIFSA at Cal. Fam. Code § 5700.201, California can exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident for support if the person resides in California, was served here, submits to jurisdiction, or engaged in sexual intercourse in California resulting in conception. Doncic's Los Angeles residency is the hook. However, Cal. Fam. Code § 5700.204 addresses simultaneous support proceedings and may require California to defer if a Slovenian tribunal is already adjudicating support for the same children.
California child support amounts follow the statewide guideline formula in Cal. Fam. Code § 4055. The guideline considers both parents' net disposable incomes and timeshare percentages. For high earners, courts routinely apply the formula to the full income — there is no statutory cap — which is why California is frequently described as a generous support jurisdiction. Doncic's 2024 five-year, $345 million Lakers extension would produce a substantially higher guideline number than Slovenia's income-based support schedules.
The forum-shopping allegation carries legal weight. Cal. Fam. Code § 3428 allows courts to decline jurisdiction when the petitioner has engaged in "unjustifiable conduct," which can include filing in an inconvenient forum to gain a financial advantage. Goltes will need to show a genuine California connection — not merely a higher support award — to survive this argument.
Practical takeaways
- File first in the correct home state. The parent who files first in the children's actual home state (or home country) typically controls custody jurisdiction under the UCCJEA's first-in-time rule at Cal. Fam. Code § 3426.
- Do not confuse custody jurisdiction with support jurisdiction. A California court may lack UCCJEA custody jurisdiction while still having UIFSA personal jurisdiction over a California-resident parent for support.
- Document where the children actually live. Passport entries, school enrollment, medical records, and lease agreements establish the six-month home-state period under Cal. Fam. Code § 3402.
- Address jurisdiction before the merits. Filing a motion to quash or dismiss under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 418.10 preserves the jurisdictional challenge — litigating the merits can waive it.
- Expect inter-court communication. The UCCJEA requires judges in competing jurisdictions to confer directly under Cal. Fam. Code § 3410, so coordinate foreign and domestic counsel early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can California order child support when the children live in another country?
Yes, California can order support against a parent residing in California under Cal. Fam. Code § 5700.201, even when the children live abroad. However, if a foreign tribunal is already handling support, Cal. Fam. Code § 5700.204 generally requires California to defer to the first-filed proceeding.
What is a child's home state under California law?
Under Cal. Fam. Code § 3402, a child's home state is the state or country where the child lived with a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before custody proceedings began. For children under six months old, the home state is where they have lived since birth with a parent.
How much is child support in California for high earners?
California uses a guideline formula under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 based on both parents' net disposable incomes and custodial timeshare. There is no statutory income cap, so NBA-level earnings produce proportionally high guideline orders — often tens of thousands of dollars per month per child.
What happens when custody cases are filed in two countries?
Under Cal. Fam. Code § 3426, if a custody proceeding is already pending in another jurisdiction with proper authority, the California court must stay its case and communicate with the first-filed court. The UCCJEA applies to foreign countries the same as U.S. states under Cal. Fam. Code § 3405.
Can you challenge California jurisdiction without waiving it?
Yes. A parent can file a motion to quash service or dismiss for lack of jurisdiction under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 418.10 before responding to the merits. Making a general appearance or litigating substantive issues before raising jurisdiction can waive the objection.
Getting help with interstate or international family law
Jurisdictional disputes involving children across state or international borders are among the most technically demanding areas of family law. If you are facing a UCCJEA or UIFSA question — whether as the parent seeking California's courts or defending against them — consult a California family law attorney experienced in interstate and international matters before filing anything.
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.