Bowie v. Arder

We granted leave to appeal in these cases to resolve several issues with respect to original child custody actions in circuit court. The questions presented are: 1) Does the circuit court have subject matter jurisdiction to hear and determine an original third-party child custody complaint under the Child Custody Act, MCL 722.21 et seq.; MSA 25.312(1) et seq.? 2) If the circuit court does have jurisdiction over such a claim, does a third party have standing to petition for custody under the act because the child resides with the third party, or resided with the third party in the past? 3)…