Family Court, Columbia County · January 15, 2026 · 89 Misc 3d 1000
Matter of K.J. v S.A.
Read the official decision: 89 Misc 3d 1000
This record is held from search listings because it does not meet the site’s substance floor; the official text is linked below.
Holding The court declined to exercise jurisdiction over the custody dispute, finding that the Indian Child Welfare Act applies and that the Navajo Nation court’s proceedings substantially comply with the UCCJEA. Consequently, the court transferred all issues to the Aneth District Court of the Navajo Nation, which retains continuing jurisdiction over the parties and the child.
The court’s words
The court declines to exercise jurisdiction, and transfers all issues, to the extent that they are before the court, to the Aneth District Court of the Navajo Nation.
89 Misc 3d 1000, at the official text
This court finds that the Indian Child Welfare Act applies to this family, as the matter came before the Columbia County Family Court as an emergency petition, with the de facto result of depriving a Native American parent custody.
89 Misc 3d 1000, at the official text
| Court | Family Court, Columbia County |
|---|---|
| Decided | January 15, 2026 |
| Citation | 89 Misc 3d 1000 |
| Area of law | Family Law |
| Week | Week ending January 17, 2026 |
| Official text | Official decision: 89 Misc 3d 1000 |
| Source feed | New York advance sheet: 26nyadv38.pdf |
| Law Watch record id | 108 |
| Caption in the source feed | MATTER OF K.J. v S.A. |
Recommended citation
ESQ HQ, New York Law Watch, Matter of K.J. v S.A., 89 Misc 3d 1000 (Family Court, Columbia County, January 15, 2026), https://esqhq.com/decisions/89-misc-3d-1000/
How this record was made
Holding drafted by Law Watch’s in-house model, graded by three reviewers; every quotation verified word for word against the official text.
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