Section 1-201 - Jurisdiction of equity court.

§ 1-201. Jurisdiction of equity court.
 

(a)  In general.- An equity court has jurisdiction over: 

(1) adoption of a child, except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance; 

(2) alimony; 

(3) annulment of a marriage; 

(4) divorce; 

(5) custody or guardianship of a child except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance; 

(6) visitation of a child; 

(7) legitimation of a child; 

(8) paternity; and 

(9) support of a child. 

(b)  Custody, visitation, guardianship, or support of child.- In exercising its jurisdiction over the custody, guardianship, visitation, or support of a child, an equity court may: 

(1) direct who shall have the custody or guardianship of a child, pendente lite or permanently; 

(2) determine who shall have visitation rights to a child; 

(3) decide who shall be charged with the support of the child, pendente lite or permanently; 

(4) from time to time, set aside or modify its decree or order concerning the child; or 

(5) issue an injunction to protect a party to the action from physical harm or harassment. 

(c)  Jurisdiction of juvenile or criminal court not affected.- This section does not take away or impair the jurisdiction of a juvenile court or a criminal court with respect to the custody, guardianship, visitation, and support of a child. 

(d)  Termination of jurisdiction of juvenile court.- Repealed by Acts 1997, ch. 496, § 1, effective October 1, 1997. 
 

[CJ §§ 3-601 - 3-603; An. Code 1957, art. 16, §§ 25, 66; 1984, ch. 296, § 2; 1986, ch. 266; 1991, ch. 227; 1993, ch. 198; 1996, ch. 595, § 3; ch. 596, § 3; 1997, ch. 14, § 1; ch. 15, § 1; ch. 496; 2000, ch. 61.]