Apply a custody-jurisdiction sequence before assuming the local court can enter or modify an order.
Interstate custody A child has lived in two states within six months, and one parent wants a local custody order today. Jurisdiction errors waste fees, delay protection, and can create unenforceable orders. The sequence Home state before courthouse instinct Use a priority screen: home state, existing orders, significant connection, emergency danger. File where client is now Convenient but often wrong. A filing recommendation that fits authority and urgency. Jurisdiction is a threshold issue, not a pleading footnote. 01 Timeline 02 Order 03 Emergency Step 1 The child lived in Ohio until eight weeks ago and is now in Arizona.
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