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Civil procedure

personal jurisdiction

Personal jurisdiction is the authority a court has to make legally enforceable orders related to a person or entity and the property of the person or entity, and usually arises when a person has been sued in a lawsuit. For a court to have personal jurisdiction, the person or entity generally (1) must be a resident of the state in which the court is located; (2) as a nonresident, must have initiated sufficient minimum contacts with the state in which the lawsuit is filed; or (3) must have agreed to be governed by the laws of the state (in a contract or website terms) in which the lawsuit is filed.

In Michigan, personal jurisdiction refers to the power of a Michigan court to issue decisions affecting a person or entity's rights or obligations. For a Michigan court to have personal jurisdiction, typically, the defendant must have a significant connection to the state. This can be established if the defendant is a resident of Michigan or if the nonresident defendant has sufficient minimum contacts with Michigan, such as conducting business, owning property, or committing a tort within the state. Additionally, personal jurisdiction can be consented to if a person or entity agrees to Michigan's jurisdiction through a contract clause or terms of service agreement. Michigan courts also follow the federal standard set by the U.S. Supreme Court, which requires that exercising jurisdiction must not violate traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.

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Can You Be Sued in Another State? Understanding Personal Jurisdiction

Imagine minding your own business when you're summoned to court far from your home. Knowing whether or not you can be sued in another state comes down to understanding how the legal concept of personal jurisdiction applies in your case.

Civil procedure

personal jurisdiction

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Michigan State Code

Michigan State Code

Civil procedure

personal jurisdiction

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