A Florida court recently ruled on a child custody case involving Leron Levy and Marianna Makri. The Third District Court of Appeal issued its opinion on April 1, 2020, in case number 3D19-0978. This decision is significant for families dealing with international custody issues, as it addresses how foreign custody decrees are enforced in Florida.

The court's ruling impacts Leron Levy, who sought to enforce a child custody decree issued by a tribunal in Cyprus, and Marianna Makri, the child's mother. The case highlights the complexities of enforcing foreign custody orders in the United States.

The dispute began when Levy filed a motion in a Miami-Dade County circuit court to enforce the Cypriot custody decree. He claimed that Makri was not complying with the terms of the decree regarding visitation rights. The case eventually made its way to the Third District Court of Appeal after the trial court denied Levy's motion.

In its ruling, the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed part of the lower court's decision. The court found no error in how the trial court interpreted the custody decree concerning visitation rights. However, the appellate court did not agree with the trial court's handling of Levy's claim that Makri had breached the decree by failing to provide her travel schedule to him in a timely manner. This part of the case was remanded, meaning it was sent back to the lower court for further consideration.

The judges involved in the ruling were Salter, Scales, and Miller. The court stated, "Finding no error in the trial court’s interpretation of the decree, we affirm that portion of the challenged order related to visitation." They also noted, "We express no opinion on the merits of this portion of Levy’s motion," emphasizing that the remanded issue requires further examination.

This ruling is important for families navigating international custody arrangements. It clarifies that while courts may uphold the terms of foreign custody decrees, they also have the authority to address claims of non-compliance with those decrees. The decision reinforces the need for parents to adhere to the terms set forth in custody agreements, regardless of where they were issued.

The impact of this ruling extends beyond just Levy and Makri. It sets a precedent for other families facing similar situations, indicating that Florida courts will take foreign custody decrees seriously but will also ensure that all parties comply with the terms of those decrees. This case may influence how future custody disputes involving foreign decrees are handled in Florida.

Looking ahead, it is unclear whether Levy or Makri will appeal the ruling further. The court's decision allows for a motion for rehearing, which could lead to more legal proceedings. Additionally, there may be related cases pending in the lower court as the remanded issue is addressed.

As international custody cases become more common, this ruling may serve as a guiding framework for how similar disputes are resolved in the future.