Section 1077 - Inconvenient forum(a) A Vermont court that has jurisdiction under this chapter to make a child custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances, and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the court's own motion, or a request of another court.(b) Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a Vermont court shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including:(1) whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child;(2) the length of time the child has resided outside Vermont;(3) the distance between the Vermont court and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction;(4) the relative financial circumstances of the parties;(5) any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;(6) the nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child;(7) the ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and(8) the familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation.(c) If a Vermont court determines that it is an inconvenient forum, and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child custody proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper.(d) A Vermont court may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this chapter if a child custody determination is incidental to an action for divorce or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the divorce or other proceeding.Added 2011, No. 29 , § 1.