Legal Question in Family Law in California
I am a single mother with residency in MO but have been in CA (LA and OC) since Jan 2008 on a contracted assignment as a full time RN.
My son and I travel to MO between assignments.
The father lives in LA, we have never been married and he has just started a new job after a year of unemployment. His mom is paying "some" money to me inconsistantly. The amounts are always different. I will need a child support attorney but not sure if it is in my best interest to go back to MO to handle this or take a job offer in CA in March that will mean I become a CA resident. Will that limit me if I ever want to relocate?
1 Answer from Attorneys
If you and the minor child have lived in CA since 2008, jurisdiction is in CA. The MO courts probably would not take the case, and they are all but certain to dismiss it in favor of CA if the father objects. The place of the child's residence for the last six months is the presumptive jurisdiction and venue for parentage, custody and support proceedings under the relevant uniform codes. I don't know for sure if MO has adopted them, but I would bet they have.