Why is it important where my child lives?
You must file for custody or visitation in the home state of your child. The home state is the state where your child has lived for at least six months. If your child recently moved to a new state, you cannot file for custody in that new state until your child has lived there for at least six months. Until then, the case must be started in the last state your child lived for at least six months
This guide discusses what happens when someone starts a custody or visitation case, and the parents do not live in the same county or state.
Last Reviewed: June 24, 2018