Supreme Court of the United States
New York ex rel. Halvey v. Halvey
March 31, 1947330 U.S. 610
Summary
The Court affirmed New York's modification of a Florida child-custody decree because Florida law allowed the decree to be modified at any time in the child's interests, and the record did not show that New York gave the decree less effect than it would have received in Florida. Under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, a judgment is not entitled to greater finality in the forum State than in the State that rendered it. Justice Frankfurter, concurring, emphasized respect for valid custody decrees absent changed circumstances, while Justice Rutledge, concurring, relied on the lack of finality under Florida law and expressed concern about continuing interstate custody litigation.
Holding
- Effect of the Florida custody decree under the Full Faith and Credit Clause. New York did not violate the Full Faith and Credit Clause by modifying the Florida custody decree because Florida law permitted modification of the decree in the child's interests, and the record did not establish that New York gave the decree less credit than it would have received in Florida.
Docket 384