The ensuing litigation dragged on for three years before a final judgment eventually awarded custody to Iruan's grandmother. After the Chinese new year in late January, the Kaohsiung District Court issued a final notice for Iruan's return, and his school held a farewell party for him.
台巴之間的跨海官司，經過三年爭訟，於二○○三年十一月三審定讞，判決吳憶樺應交還外婆。吳憶樺曾寫信給陳水扁總統，請求政府幫忙留下他在台灣繼續生活，包括立法委員林益世及多名地方人物亦出面協調；無奈司法歸司法，當法院做出判決後，吳家縱有不捨，也只能放手。