Allegation 4: Improperly Changing Legal Residence of a Minor

Summary:

According to MCL 3.211 C 1, the residence of a minor may not be moved from Michigan without approval of the judge, and the parent must comply with section 11 of the Child Custody Act.

MCL 722.31, of the Child Custody Act of 1970, there are specific rules governing the change of residence of a child.

MCL 3.211:

C)​A judgment or order awarding custody of a minor must provide that

(1)​the domicile or residence of the minor may not be moved from Michigan without the approval of the judge who awarded custody or the judge's successor,

(2)​the person awarded custody must promptly notify the friend of the court in writing when the minor is moved to another address, and

(3)​a parent whose custody or parenting time of a child is governed by the order shall not change the legal residence of the child except in compliance with section 11 of the Child Custody Act.

MCL 722.31:

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a parent of a child whose custody is governed by court order shall not change a legal residence of the child to a location that is more than 100 miles from the child's legal residence at the time of the commencement of the action in which the order is issued.

At the time of the commencement of our divorce, 1/4/2024, my children were legal residents of Pinckney, Michigan.

I believe Judge Longsworth changed the legal residence of my children in violation of the guidelines and protections laid out in MCL 722.31/Child Custody Act and MCL 3.211.

Details:

At the start of the divorce action, both the defendant and I lived in Pinckney Michigan. Our children were residents of Pinckney, Michigan. I have been living in the same home for the duration of the divorce action, therefore there has been no change of residency related to me.

However, the same is not true for the defendant. Around 6/2024, I learned the defendant was living in Leamington, Canada, a 2-hour drive away from Pinckney. His residence was solidified at the order of Judge Longsworth herself, and was discussed many times in court. So, Judge Longsworth was fully informed of the location of the defendant’s residence.

On 6/16/25, Judge Susan Longsworth changed custody from sole legal to joint legal[1]. I believe this expanded my children’s legal residence to include their father’s home in Canada.

Obviously, this is out of state, so the Child Custody Act guidelines should have applied. I do not believe these guidelines were followed, and I believe my rights and my children’s rights were violated, again.

As outlined in Allegation 3, this caused my children to be isolated from their friends and their social network. It also caused them to miss all lessons and extracurricular activities which took place during their father’s parenting time.

Judge Longsworth issued two relevant orders on the same day, 6/16/25. The first order (exhibit 10a) granted the defendant use of the children’s passports. The second order (exhibit 10b) changed custody to joint legal.

My children suffered harm due to these orders.

I ask that my children and I be acknowledged in this, and Judge Longsworth be corrected before harming more children.

[1] Exhibit 10b: 6/16/25 Parenting time order