Quick code snippet posting for my reference. It shows a validation error message (which could be inside a container with a label and input or outside a container directly on an element, it works with both). If non are found it simply adds the msg after the input.

Also see: Solutions to Common jQuery Errors

//used to override the default message for custom validation
validationErrorMsg: function(elem, msg)
{
    if (elem.find('label.error').length > 0)
    {
        //found inside input group element
        elem.find('label.error').html(msg);
    }
    else if (elem.parent().find('label.error').length > 0)
    {
        //found inside parent (container for input group)
        elem.parent().find('label.error').html(msg);
    }
    else
    {
        //no error label found so put it after the input
        elem.after(''+msg+'');
    }
},