Interstate Custody Attorney In Bloomfield Hills And Metro Detroit
Last updated on March 5, 2026
When parents live in different states or a child has recently moved across state lines, determining which state has legal authority over custody decisions becomes complicated. Interstate custody cases require careful navigation of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). An interstate custody lawyer in Bloomfield Hills can help parents understand which court has authority and protect their parental rights.
Attorney Lisa D. Stern has over 30 years of experience handling complex custody matters involving multiple states. She helps parents throughout Metro Detroit go through jurisdictional issues and enforce out-of-state orders.
Understanding The Home State Rule
Michigan follows the UCCJEA framework outlined in MCL 722.1102. The primary factor courts consider is the child’s “home state,” defined as the state where the child has lived with a parent for at least six consecutive months.
The home state generally keeps jurisdiction over custody matters even if the child has moved to another state, provided the case is filed within six months of the move. This prevents a parent from gaining advantage by relocating without permission. If no state qualifies as the home state, courts examine whether the child has significant connections to Michigan.
Emergency temporary jurisdiction allows Michigan courts to step in when a child faces immediate risk of harm, even if another state would normally have jurisdiction.
Registering Out-Of-State Custody Orders In Michigan
Parents moving to Michigan with an existing custody order from another state must register that order with Michigan courts to make it enforceable. The process involves filing the certified order with an affidavit and sending notice to the other parent.
Registration does not automatically transfer jurisdiction to Michigan. The original state typically retains authority to modify the order unless both parents and the child have moved away. An interstate custody attorney in Bloomfield Hills can evaluate whether Michigan has grounds to modify an out-of-state order.
Common Questions About Interstate Custody
Parents facing custody issues involving multiple states often have urgent questions about which court has authority. The following are just some of them.
Which state has jurisdiction over my custody case if my child lives in another state?
Jurisdiction under UCCJEA in Michigan depends on where the child lived for the six months before filing. If the child recently moved, the previous home state typically retains jurisdiction for six months. Courts also consider which state has significant connections to the child. Military families face additional considerations when deployments occur.
How do I register an out-of-state custody order in Michigan?
File a certified copy with the Michigan circuit court in your county, along with an affidavit containing names and addresses. Send notice to the other parent. Once registered, the order can be enforced in Michigan. Registration does not change which state has modification jurisdiction under MCL 722.1102.
Protect Your Parental Rights Across State Lines
Interstate custody cases involve complex jurisdictional rules. Lisa D. Stern provides the experienced guidance parents need when custody crosses state lines. Her three decades of family law experience includes helping parents resolve multistate custody disputes.
Contact Lisa D. Stern at 248-973-7842 or email her to schedule a consultation. Virtual consultations are available.