Child Custody Filing Guidance

Summary

If your daughter has lived with you in Missouri for a year, Missouri is considered her primary residence, and you can file for custody there. Consult a local family lawyer for specific guidance.

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Child Custody. We had a trial yesterday but had to come to a settlement. During that, none of the evidence that I had that supports my reasonings was brought up and my lawyer made an agreement without my consent. The Father resides in Arizona, where he filed the case. He has been very inactive in her life and managed to get her for 3 months, starting Sunday, which again he hasn't seen her or done anything for her in almost a year. The case was dismissed. Im asking if I need to file for custody in the state that my daughter and I are both in, or would I need to file something in Arizona?
Hello ****. Could you please tell me in which state you and your daughter currently reside? This information will help me provide the most accurate guidance for your situation.
Missouri
You should typically file for child custody in the "home state" of your child. Here are key points to consider:
- Missouri is considered the "home state" if your daughter has lived there for at least six months.
- If your daughter hasn't lived in Missouri for six months, Arizona might still have jurisdiction.
- You may need to consult with a Missouri family lawyer for a detailed understanding.
She was born and lived out there for about 8 months, which is why it was held in Arizona because of the home state law. Now that's she's been with me in Missouri for a year, that would be considered her primary residence?
Yes, if your daughter has lived with you in Missouri for a year, it would be considered her primary residence. You can thus file for custody in Missouri. Please consult a local family lawyer for specific guidance.
Awesome. Thank you so much
You're welcome, ****! If you need any more legal information, feel free to ask. Good luck with your custody case.

Jackson County Family Court


Phone:(*) *-*
Address: * E 26th St, Kansas City, MO *
Website: www.16thcircuit.org
Thank you!
You're welcome, ****! If you have any more questions or need further legal guidance, don't hesitate to reach out. All the best with your custody case.