Lakers star Luka Doncic filed a motion on March 20, 2026, asking an L.A. County Superior Court judge to dismiss his ex-fiancée Anamaria Goltes' child support petition, arguing she engaged in "forum shopping" by filing in California when their two daughters — ages 2 years and 3 months — live in Slovenia. The case puts California's child support jurisdiction rules under a national spotlight and raises a question every cross-border family should understand: which state or country actually has the legal authority to decide support?
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Doncic moved to dismiss Goltes' California child support petition |
| Date filed | March 20, 2026 |
| Court | Los Angeles County Superior Court |
| Key allegation | Forum shopping — filing in California instead of Slovenia |
| Children | Two daughters, ages 2 years and 3 months |
| Doncic's attorney | Laura Wasser (celebrity family law attorney) |
| Key statute | Cal. Fam. Code § 4900 (UIFSA) |
| Reported separation detail | Doncic reportedly has not seen his daughters since December 2025 |
What Forum Shopping Means in Family Law
Forum shopping is the practice of filing a case in the jurisdiction most likely to produce a favorable outcome rather than the jurisdiction with the strongest legal connection to the parties. In family law, this usually means one parent files for custody or support in a state with higher guideline calculations or more favorable presumptions.
California is a frequent target for forum shopping claims because the state uses an income-shares model that can produce substantial monthly support orders for high earners. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055, child support is calculated using both parents' net disposable income, with no statutory cap on the amount. For an NBA player reportedly earning over $40 million per year, a California support order could reach six figures monthly.
Doncic's legal team, led by Laura Wasser — the attorney known for handling divorces for Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie, and Ryan Reynolds — is arguing that Slovenia, not California, is the proper forum because the children reside there. That argument has real legal teeth.
How California Decides Jurisdiction Over Child Support
California adopted the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) under Cal. Fam. Code §§ 4900–4976, which also governs international support cases through reciprocity agreements. Under UIFSA, a California court can exercise jurisdiction to establish child support only if specific conditions are met.
The most critical requirement is that California must qualify as the children's "home state" under Cal. Fam. Code § 3402, meaning the children lived in California with a parent for at least 6 consecutive months before the filing. If Doncic's claim is accurate — that both daughters live in Slovenia and have not been in California for the required period — the jurisdictional argument against Goltes' petition is strong.
California courts also consider whether the respondent (Doncic) has sufficient "minimum contacts" with the state under Cal. Fam. Code § 4905. Playing for the Lakers and maintaining a residence in Los Angeles gives Doncic personal ties to California, but UIFSA jurisdiction focuses primarily on where the children live, not where the paying parent works. The distinction matters enormously here.
Under the Hague Convention on International Recovery of Child Support (which the United States ratified and Slovenia recognizes), international custody and support disputes are generally resolved in the country of the child's habitual residence. If the children have lived in Slovenia since birth, a California court may lack subject matter jurisdiction entirely — regardless of how much income Doncic earns in the state.
Why California's Support Guidelines Attract High-Profile Filings
The forum shopping allegation is not unusual in cases involving wealthy parents with connections to multiple jurisdictions. California's child support formula under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 produces some of the highest support orders in the country for several reasons.
First, California has no statutory maximum on child support. While many states cap guideline calculations or apply diminishing percentages above certain income thresholds, California courts apply the full formula to all documented income. For a player earning $37.9 million in base salary during the 2025-2026 NBA season, the guideline calculation could produce a monthly order exceeding $100,000.
Second, California courts consider the supported parent's need to maintain a lifestyle "consistent with the standard of living established during the relationship" when exercising discretion above guideline amounts under Cal. Fam. Code § 4057. Third, California courts can impute additional income from endorsements, investments, and other sources beyond base salary.
By contrast, Slovenian family law calculates maintenance based on the child's actual needs and both parents' financial capacity, which typically produces lower monthly figures. The difference between jurisdictions could amount to tens of thousands of dollars per month — explaining exactly why Doncic's team is fighting to move the case.
Practical Takeaways
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Jurisdiction is decided before anything else. A California court must determine it has legal authority over the children and the support issue before hearing any arguments about amounts. If Doncic's motion succeeds, the entire California petition gets dismissed without reaching the merits.
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Where the children live controls the analysis. Under both UIFSA and the Hague Convention, the children's habitual residence is the primary jurisdictional factor. A parent's workplace or income source is secondary. Parents in cross-border situations should understand that filing in a preferred state does not guarantee that state will accept the case.
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High-income cases amplify forum shopping incentives. California's uncapped support formula means the jurisdiction question can represent a six-figure annual difference in support obligations. Parents earning above $500,000 annually should consult attorneys in every potentially relevant jurisdiction before either filing or responding.
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Responding quickly matters. Doncic filed his dismissal motion promptly after Goltes' petition. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4909, failing to challenge jurisdiction in a timely manner can result in waiver — meaning the court assumes you consent to its authority. Any parent served with an out-of-state or international support petition should respond within 30 days.
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Celebrity attorneys signal serious litigation strategy. Laura Wasser's involvement indicates Doncic's team is prepared for a contested jurisdictional fight. Parents facing similar cross-border disputes should retain counsel experienced in international family law, not just domestic practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you file for child support in California if the children live in another country?
Generally, no. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4900 (UIFSA) and the Hague Convention on child support, the children's country of habitual residence holds primary jurisdiction. California courts require the children to have lived in the state for at least 6 consecutive months before a parent can establish it as the home state for support purposes.
How much child support would Luka Doncic owe under California guidelines?
California's formula under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 has no statutory cap. For a parent earning approximately $37.9 million in annual NBA salary, guideline child support could exceed $100,000 per month depending on custody timeshare percentages and the other parent's income. Courts can also add income from endorsements and investments to the calculation.
What is forum shopping in a custody or support case?
Forum shopping occurs when a parent deliberately files in a jurisdiction expected to produce a more favorable ruling rather than the jurisdiction with the strongest connection to the family. In Doncic's case, his attorneys allege Goltes chose California over Slovenia specifically because California's uncapped child support guidelines would yield a substantially higher monthly order for their two children.
What happens if the California court dismisses the petition?
If the L.A. County Superior Court grants Doncic's motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, Goltes would need to file her child support petition in Slovenia, where the children reside. Slovenian courts would then apply local maintenance laws, which calculate support based on the children's actual needs rather than an income-percentage formula, likely resulting in a lower monthly amount.
Does playing for the Lakers give California jurisdiction over Doncic's support case?
Doncic's employment with the Lakers establishes personal jurisdiction over him in California — meaning California courts can require him to appear and respond. However, personal jurisdiction over a parent is not the same as subject matter jurisdiction over child support. Under UIFSA, the children's home state, not the parent's work state, is the primary basis for support jurisdiction.
Find a California family law attorney through divorce.law's California directory to discuss jurisdiction questions in your own case.
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.