Grand Rapids Change in Domicile Attorney | Michigan Change in Domicile Law

GRAND RAPIDS CHANGE IN DOMICILE ATTORNEY

CHANGE IN DOMICILE LAW

A change in domicile typically arises after a final judgment has entered and a custodial parent want to move from their current residence to a residence more than 100 miles or out-of-state. If the move is less than 100 miles away, typically the court will address the issue in a “post-judgment motion to modify parenting time and transportation”. Typically, the parent opposing the move files a change in custody stating the move is not in the child's bests interests.  The court is not required to go through the test as stated in MCL 722.31.

In 1981, the Michigan Court of Appeals adopted New Jersey law related to a change in domicile. The case of Watters v Watters, 112 Mich App 1, 12, 314 NW2d 778 (1981), adopted the case law and test of D’Onofrio v D’Onofrio, 144 NJ Super 200,365 A2d 27 (1976). In determine weather to allow the custodial parent to move out of state, the court was required to consider the following:

1. It [the court] should consider the prospective advantages of the move in terms of its likely capacity for improving the general quality of life for both the custodial parent and the children.

2. It must evaluate the integrity of the motives of the custodial parent in seeking the move in order to determine whether the removal is inspired primarily by the desire to defeat or frustrate visitation by the noncustodial parent, and whether the custodial parent is likely to comply with substitute visitation orders when she [or he] is no longer subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State.

3. It must likewise take into account the integrity of the noncustodial parent’s motives in resisting the removal and consider the extent to which, if at all, the opposition is intended to secure a financial advantage in respect of continuing support obligations.

4. Finally, the court must be satisfied that there will be a realistic opportunity for visitation in lieu of the weekly pattern which can provide an adequate basis for preserving and fostering the parental relationship with the noncustodial parent if removal is allowed.

In 2001, the Michigan legislature adopted a version of the current law that expanded the court’s jurisdiction over moves by the custodial parent.MCLA 722.31 was adopted and commonly referred to as the “100 mile rule”. MCL 722.31 provides a slightly different test. First, it applies to moves more than 100 miles, not just out of state moves. Secondly, the court needs to consider the following factors in granting a change in domicile as follows:

1. Whether the legal residence change has the capacity to improve the quality of life for both the child and the relocating parent.

 
2. The degree to which each parent has complied with, and utilized his or her time under, a court order governing parenting time with the child, and whether the parent’s plan to change the child’s legal residence is inspired by that parent’s desire to defeat or frustrate the parenting time schedule.

 
3. The degree to which the court is satisfied that, if the court permits the legal residence change, it is possible to order a modification of the parenting time schedule and other arrangements governing the child’s schedule in a manner that can provide an adequate basis for preserving and fostering the parental relationship between the child and each parent; and whether each parent is likely to comply with the modification.

 
4. The extent to which the parent opposing the legal residence change is motivated by a desire to secure a financial advantage with respect to a support obligation. [Reduced child support]

 
5. Domestic violence, regardless of whether the violence was directed against or witnessed by the child.

 
In analyzing a change in domicile case, you must first determine if there is a restriction for the move. MCL 722.31 only applies to judgment that provide for joint legal custody. If the custodial parent has sole legal custody, then the custodial parent can move without restriction. This was the ruling of the court in Spires v Bergman, 276 Mich App 432, 741 NW2d 523 (2007). In Spires, Rita Spires was represented by Christian G Krupp II, of Krupp Law Offices PC in the trial and appellate courts on the matter. As a result, Krupp Law Offices, P.C. has a unique expertise in the field of change in domicile law.

Second, is the move more than 100 miles? The Michigan Court of Appeals recently ruled that the 100 miles is measured by a direct line not by road miles. This is significant especially for Michigan. Large parts of Illinois and Wisconsin are less than 100 miles over Lake Michigan, but more than 100 miles by road. The court has concluded however that“blanket consent” is not enforceable. See Delamielleure v Belote, 267 Mich App 337, 704 NW2d 746 (2005).

GRAND RAPIDS CHANGE IN DOMICILE ATTORNEYS

If you are facing a change in domicile or divorce, a good attorney is not optional, it is a requirement! Our divorce attorneys can answer your questions about Michigan's change in domicile laws. More and more life changes and economics require people too relocate to different states and cities. We can review your cans and answer your questions with straight talk. Our attorneys have over 85 years of change in domicile experience.

Typical fees to retain attorney for a change in domicile case can range and from 1,000 dollars to as high as 5,000 dollars. Considering the seriousness of this life changing event, it is extremely important to retain the services of an experienced change in domicile attorney.

Krupp Law Offices PC is located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan and has the right divorce attorney for you. We represent clients in all divorce matters throughout West Michigan, including the cities of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Lowell, Jenison, Grandville, Kentwood, Holland, and Grand Haven, and the counties of Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Barry, Newaygo, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ionia.

 
Call for a free phone consultation.  Our office can help.

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Christian Krupp

CEO & Founder

Christian G Krupp II was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Chris attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1988.He attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he was a member of law review and one of the few students that had his law review article published.Christian Krupp graduated from law school with honors in the top ten percent of his class.His legal career started and Dykema Gossett, Michigan’s largest law firm.While at Dykema, he was involved in a diverse practice groups including the corporate, finance, and legislative areas.After leaving Dykema, Christian Krupp joined the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

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George Krupp

Creative Director

George Krupp was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.He was admitted to practice law in 1961 and started practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1962 in the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office.After years of success in the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, George Krupp left for private practice where he has worked for over fifty years.Over his fifty years of experience he has represented thousands of clients in civil and criminal cases.His primary concentration has been in domestic (family law / divorce cases) and criminal cases.

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