Understanding Limited Immunity in Oklahoma Child Custody Matters
Hello, I’m Oklahoma City child custody lawyer Dillan Savage of Wirth Law Office, and I practice primarily in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area.
Today, we’re discussing appearances in child custody matters — specifically, how you may be protected by limited immunity if Oklahoma doesn’t have personal jurisdiction over you.
Limited Immunity for Out-of-State Residents
If you’re a resident of another state and you come to Oklahoma solely to participate in a child custody proceeding, such as registering or modifying a custody order, and you have no other legal ties to the state, Oklahoma may not gain personal jurisdiction over you for unrelated legal matters.
This protection is outlined in Title 43, Section 551-109, titled Appearance and Limited Immunity. Section A states that a person involved in a child custody case — including enforcement, registration, or modification — is not subject to personal jurisdiction in Oklahoma just because they were physically present for that custody matter.
Ensuring Fairness in Multi-State Custody Cases
In simple terms, if you’re in Oklahoma only for a child custody proceeding, your presence here does not open the door for someone to sue you in an unrelated case just because you showed up in court.
This rule helps ensure fairness in multi-state custody cases, especially when parents are traveling from out of state to resolve issues about their children.
Get a Low-Cost Consultation Today
If you found this information to be helpful or you believe it could help someone else, please go to TheOklahomaCityAttorney.com. For personalized advice on your specific custody situation, call me at 405-888-5400. Again, I’m OKC family law attorney Dillan Savage of Wirth Law Office, and thank you for watching.
