Out Of State Lawyers in Michigan – ChooseGoldman

Welcome to Michigan Out Of State Lawyers. Are you an out-of-state resident, and do you have legal matters to attend to in Michigan? If the answer is yes, it is important to hire a Michigan attorney. Although we’ll say it anyway, all states have their own set of rules and procedures when it comes to dealing with various legal matters. If you are an out-of-state resident, and you have a pending legal matter in the State of Michigan, it is extremely important to talk to an experienced Michigan attorney about your case. Why? Because although all lawyers know the law; the question is: what law does the lawyer know?

Why Do I Need A Michigan Attorney?

Attorneys from other states cannot help you with matters that may arise which involve Michigan law. And even if they are somewhat familiar with Michigan’s laws, court rules, and procedures, likely, they are likely not familiar with local judges, court clerks, court systems, police departments, or other attorneys. Having these connections helps all lawyers, in any jurisdiction, perform their tasks in an efficient, competent fashion. These connections cannot be learned from reading a book, they only come with experience. That means that only a Michigan lawyer is going to have the ability to effectively represent you while keeping your costs at a minimum when it comes to legal matters in Michigan.

Live Out of State And Sued In MI

For someone to sue you in the state of Michigan, you must have some interesting connection to the state. The most common ways for this to happen are by living or doing business in Michigan. However, there are a few other ways you might find yourself under the jurisdiction of a Michigan court, through what is known as the long-arm statute. Those ways include doing something that would give rise to a cause of action in Michigan (for example, coming into Michigan, punching someone, and then leaving), owning property that is situated in the state (although usually, that will only give the court jurisdiction over you about that property), providing insurance against risk in Michigan, entering into a contract for providing services in Michigan, being a high official with a Michigan corporation (or corporation with its primary place of business located in Michigan), or if you were domiciled here while married (or otherwise have a relationship that could be the basis for divorce or child custody/ support).

While this sounds very broad, it is important to remember that reach that this gives to courts is going to be tied to the action at hand. For example, contracts for services only give courts jurisdiction for the purposes of that contract, owning property in Michigan only give the courts jurisdiction over you relative to that property. If you ever find yourself being sued in Michigan, you will want to contact an experienced attorney who is familiar with Michigan law to help you defend the claim.

Out-of-State Judgment

One difficulty that sometimes arises after court cases, once you obtain a judgment, is getting the defendant to pay up. When the defendant is outside of the jurisdiction of the court issuing the judgment, he or she may think that he is safe from having to comply with the terms, especially if that person is not just outside of the city or county that the court sits in, but outside of the state itself. Fortunately, as a matter of constitutional law, judgments from any court with proper jurisdiction are to be given what is called full faith and credit, without regard to where the persons involved in that case run. If you have a judgment against a person residing in Michigan, even if that judgment is from another state, it is possible to have a Michigan court enforce that judgment.

Proof of that judgment needs to be filed in the appropriate court here in Michigan, and after the appropriate waiting period, if that judgment is not facing an appeal in its home jurisdiction, the Michigan court can issue an order for enforcement here. If you have a judgment from another state against a person residing in Michigan, you should speak with a Michigan attorney who can help you through the process of getting the judgment enforced.

Out-of-State Document & Contract Review

With the current business climate of the world today, it is not uncommon for business to be transacted between states or for people to move between states. As a result, situations arise where a contract or other legal document from another state will end up in controversy in the state of Michigan. The first thing to consider is whether the document itself gives any guidance as to the applicable law.

Many contracts and other legal documents contain a choice of law provisions, which call for the document to be interpreted under the laws of some chosen state. Generally, courts will respect these provisions and apply the laws of the chosen state, even if the court is not sitting in that state. There are some exceptions to this, such as when the state whose laws are being chosen has no connection with the parties or the subject of the contract, or when the application of the other state’s laws would be fundamentally against the public policy of Michigan. If you have an out-of-state document from another state that may become the subject of a legal dispute in Michigan, you should consider contacting an experienced Michigan attorney.

Michigan’s Finest

Our law office handles a wide variety of legal matters, and it cannot hurt to contact us for a free telephone consultation (586-268-2400). Our main office is located in Sterling Heights, Michigan, located smack-dab in the middle of Metro Detroit’s web of the circuit, district, probate, and municipal courts. And our office is familiar with all of them. Why risk your important affairs arising in Michigan on an attorney from someplace else? Nobody knows Metro Detroit the way we do. If you require additional information, please visit us at Out of Michigan Attorney.

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Out of State Attorneys in Michigan – FAQs | ChooseGoldman

If you’re involved in a Michigan legal matter but live in another state, navigating the legal system can be overwhelming. Whether you’re handling a divorce, custody case, or criminal matter from a distance, you need an experienced Michigan-based attorney who understands the local courts and can advocate for you while you’re away. At Akiva Goldman & Associates, we regularly represent out-of-state clients in Michigan legal proceedings with professionalism, clarity, and convenience.

Here are the most common questions clients ask when facing legal issues in Michigan from outside the state.

Can I hire a Michigan attorney if I live in another state?

Yes, absolutely. If you’re dealing with a legal issue based in Michigan, you must hire a Michigan-licensed attorney, even if you live elsewhere. Our firm represents out-of-state clients in matters like:

Divorce and custody
Criminal defense
Property disputes
Probate and estate issues

We offer remote consultations and digital document signing for your convenience.

What types of cases can out-of-state clients hire you for?

We represent out-of-state individuals for Michigan-based legal matters, including:

Divorce or child custody (where children or spouse reside in Michigan)
Criminal charges in Michigan courts
Real estate disputes or probate issues
Family law disputes, including parenting time modifications

Learn more about our family law services.

Do I need to appear in court if I’m not in Michigan?

In many cases, your appearance can be waived or handled virtually. Courts in Michigan increasingly allow:

Zoom hearings for family law and civil matters
Representation by your attorney on procedural issues
Written testimony or remote depositions

We’ll inform you if physical presence is required and help minimize travel where possible.

How do I get started with a Michigan attorney if I’m out of state?

It’s simple:

Schedule a free phone or Zoom consultation
Discuss your case with one of our attorneys
Sign a retainer agreement electronically
We’ll begin filing and communicating with the court on your behalf

Can I file for divorce in Michigan if I don’t live there anymore?

Yes, but only if your spouse still resides in Michigan or meets the residency requirement (at least 180 days in the state and 10 days in the county). We help many out-of-state clients navigate Michigan divorces remotely.

More details on our Michigan divorce lawyers here.

How do custody laws work if I live out of state but my child is in Michigan?

Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), Michigan courts typically have jurisdiction if the child has lived in the state for at least six months. As an out-of-state parent, you still have rights to:

Custody or parenting time
Phone or video visitation
Court-approved travel arrangements

Learn more on our custody rights page.

Can I modify a Michigan custody or support order from another state?

Yes, but the modification must be filed in the Michigan court that issued the original order—unless jurisdiction has legally shifted. We help parents:

Modify parenting time schedules
Adjust child support based on income changes
Handle enforcement or contempt issues

We’ll manage the paperwork and hearing process while you remain out of state.

Do I need to travel to Michigan for criminal court if I’ve been charged there?

It depends. For misdemeanors, your attorney can often appear on your behalf. For felony cases or trials, you’ll likely need to appear in person.

Our criminal defense attorneys will coordinate with you on the best strategy while minimizing disruption to your life.

How does communication work with out-of-state clients?

We use:

Phone, Zoom, or video calls
Email and secure document sharing portals
E-signatures for contracts and legal forms

You’ll stay fully informed and involved—without having to travel unnecessarily.

What if I need to serve someone who lives in Michigan?

We can coordinate in-state process servers to deliver court documents properly and legally. This is especially important in:

Divorce and custody matters
Property or probate disputes
Protection order cases

Our team ensures all legal requirements for service are met under Michigan law.

Can you help with Michigan probate or real estate matters if I live out of state?

Yes. We regularly assist out-of-state heirs, beneficiaries, or property owners with:

Michigan probate filings
Will contests
Selling or managing real estate

We represent your interests locally, even if you never set foot in the state.

What makes Akiva Goldman & Associates ideal for out-of-state clients?

Deep knowledge of Michigan-specific laws
Extensive experience with remote case handling
Clear, prompt communication across time zones
Proven record in family law, divorce, probate, and criminal defense

We act as your trusted local partner, no matter where you are.

Is there a different legal process for out-of-state clients?

The legal process remains the same, but you’ll benefit from:

Remote legal support
Local representation in Michigan courts
Personalized strategies to reduce unnecessary travel

We’ll handle all filings, court appearances, and case updates while you stay informed.

How do I contact you to get started?

We offer a free, no-pressure consultation to discuss your situation. You can reach us at:
https://akivagoldman.com/contact-us/

We’ll help you understand your options and begin your case with confidence.

Need a Michigan-Based Attorney While Living Out of State?

Don’t let distance stop you from resolving a Michigan legal matter. At Akiva Goldman & Associates, we provide responsive, strategic legal services for out-of-state clients—whether you’re across the country or overseas.

Start with a free consultation and let us protect your interests on the ground in Michigan.