Zenide

involving conflicting child custody orders of the courts of France and Texas. Father, Dan Alexandre Zenide, petitioner herein, seeks to enforce a Texas child custody order awarding him custody of his two minor daughters. Mother, Rita Ignaccolo, real party in interest herein, seeks to enforce a French child custody order awarding her custody of her two minor daughters. Respondent court found in favor of mother and ordered enforcement of the French custody order awarding her custody. Father petitions this court for a writ of mandate directing respondent court to enforce the Texas child custody order awarding custody to him. We deny the petition.

Facts and Procedural Background

Father and mother were married in France on May 7, 1980. Their daughter Maud was bom in France on February 4, 1981, and their daughter Adele was bom in France on September 29, 1984. Mother and father separated and were divorced in France in late 1989. At that time, the parties agreed that father would have sole custody of the children and mother would have, liberal visitation rights. This agreement was confirmed in a French divorce judgment on December 20, 1989.

In July 1990, father moved with Maud…