Filing of certified copy of custody decree
If a court in another state made a custody decision, that decision can be filed with a Missouri court. Once filed, Missouri treats it just like a Missouri custody order and will enforce it. If someone breaks that out-of-state custody order, a Missouri court can make them pay travel costs and lawyer fees. Missouri courts will also recognize and follow custody decisions from other states as long as those states followed the proper rules when making their decision.
452.805. of of . — 1. A certified copy of a custody decree of another state may be filed in the office of the clerk of any of this state. The clerk shall treat the in the same manner as a custody decree of the circuit court of this state. A custody decree so filed has the same effect and shall be d in like manner as a custody decree rendered by a court of this state.
2. A person violating a custody decree of another state which makes it necessary to enforce the decree in this state may be required to pay necessary travel and other expenses, including , incurred by the entitled to the or the party's witnesses.
3. A court of this state shall recognize and enforce a of a court of another state if the latter court exercised that was in with sections 452.700 to 452.930 or the was made under factual circumstances meeting the of sections 452.700 to 452.930 and the determination has not been in accordance with sections 452.700 to 452.930.
4. A court may utilize any available under other law of this state to enforce a child custody determination made by a court of another state. The procedure provided by sections 452.740 to 452.845 does not affect the availability of other to enforce a child custody determination.
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Source & history notes
(L. 2009 H.B. 481)
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.