According to the man, the Wayne County Friend of the Court was attempting to collect about $12,000 in back child support. However, he is not the father they are looking for. Though the man's address was right, other information, including his name, the age of his daughter, the named mother he's never met and the Social Security number were all incorrect.
The troubles began in September of 2010, and though the man has attempted to sort out the problem, he had gotten nowhere because of call center workers who did not believe his story. Even through letters, the man has hit a dead end. As the largest in Michigan, Wayne County Friend of the Court is dealing with more than a quarter of a million cases similar to this one.
]]> Recently, because of the trouble, the man found his driver's license was suspended. He contacted Wayne County Friend of the Court in desperation only to find out the case could take months to straighten out.A call to the Michigan Department of Human Services by a reporter in Lansing helped the man not only get in contact with a member of the Wayne County Friend of the Court, but cleared him of the child support payments and suspended license.
Even though he was not the father, the man faced immense problems, time consumption and other penalties parents face when they fail to make child support payments. Using an attorney, he may have been able to avoid the penalties and end the issue at an earlier date.
Source: Lansing State Journal, "Child support web entangles the wrong man in Eaton Rapids," Mark Mayes, May 10, 2012
]]>Traditionally, much of the focus of the court system has been targeted on simply helping to ensure that child support obligations were enforced. The specialized court, however, is trying to do more for unmarried parents. It is supporting a system that encourages parents, mothers and fathers alike, to remain involved in their child's life, whether or not they are the custodial parent.
]]> In some instances of unmarried parents, the couple may not have had a long shared history together, like married couples. Fathers are being encouraged to do more than simply accept paternity determinations and mail a monthly check. The court encourages the two new parents to cooperate together in raising the child over the long haul to adulthood, which can be a rich and rewarding experience for both the parents and the children.Single parents often also have their own personal obstacles to overcome as a result of youth and low income. The specialized court works to connect them with available agency assistance in addressing issues concerning finding work, or dealing with substance abuse, domestic violence, or the need for counseling or therapy.
It also mandates participation in discussions about co-parenting to help the new parents cooperate and communicate on things impacting the child, ranging from visitation and holidays to education and medical concerns. Parents are urged not to disparage each other to the child and to share responsibility for their upbringing.
Alternative solutions to co-parenting are becoming more popular recently. With family dynamics shifting so significantly, finding a way to maintain and foster these strong parent-child relationships is as important as ever.
Source: NPR, "Never-Married Parents Get Help From Special Court," Sasha Aslanian, May 7, 2012
]]>There are an increasing number of unmarried parents today, so this is becoming a more common situation. When a couple breaks up after having children and did not get married, there often are court battles over custody and visitation issues. Sometimes, working with a lawyer to develop a mutually agreeable parenting plan can be a helpful approach.
]]> State laws vary greatly, and often, in today's mobile society, parents may wind up living in different jurisdictions. In some of them, unmarried fathers are required to list themselves and their parental status on a state registry in order to claim their rights.In this particular case, the father signed documents asserting his biological status in one state. However, the birth mother moved to another state and was allowed to let her brother adopt the child without giving the father any say in the decision. This recent ruling granted rights to visitation to both birth parents, with further monitoring over time to see how the daughter is responding to the visits from both of her birth parents.
The father is continuing to assert that the birth mother violated the laws of one state to get the child adopted by her brother in another jurisdiction. In an earlier ruling, the adoption was overturned and the battle for custody continued. The dad is determined to see that his rights, legal and moral, to a continuing connection to his child do not get lost in the shuffle. For now, at least, it appears that he has prevailed in that regard.
Source: Fox 31, "Unmarried father wins visitation rights in custody battle," Jon Bowman, April 30, 2012
]]>A study conducted on the subject by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research discovered that approximately 50 percent of those in this age group getting divorced had been in a second or subsequent remarriage. Approximately 66 percent of all such later-in-life divorces are initiated by the wife rather than the husband, with many spouses indicating that they had been unhappy for years in the marriage.
]]> The changing role of women in society may have done much to empower older women to feel that ending a marriage is a realistic option for them. More women work after their middle ages than they did so previously, and it is more common for them to have their own networks of friends and acquaintances outside of the marriage.Another factor may be increased life spans, since more people have seen their peers of the same age divorce and go on to build new lives for themselves. Increased tolerance and flexibility about divorce, including among organized religions, may also be playing a role. Some speculate that the general culture among baby boomer generation members, who have typically been more willing to challenge the outmoded traditions of the past, may be encouraging older people today to take a chance and make a new start.
The older people are when they get divorced, the more likely it may be that they will need an attorney. An experienced lawyer will be to help sort through years of finances and assets, as well as any issues concerning any children that a couple may share.
Source: The Journal Gazette, "The gray divorce," Emma Downs, April 15, 2012
]]>Now, some parents have been exploring virtual visitation as a way to maintain contact and involvement in their children's lives. Sometimes, it is the custodial parent who moves away, leaving their ex-spouse with difficulty in continuing to see the children.
]]> The concept is actually relatively simple and relies on the easy availability of modern technology. Through video web cams, Skype and the use of social media like Facebook, as well as even simpler tools like email and texting, a child can "visit" with a far away non-custodial parent. Some courts have even specifically sanctioned this as a recognized visitation right of a non-custodial parent unable, for a short or long term, to be physically present for child visitation.There are approximately 18 million children in the U.S. today whose parents are divorced or separated, with 17 million more whose parents were never married to begin with. About 25 percent of all these children have a parent who does not live in the same city as they do, making the situation fairly common. One estimate is that approximately 10 million children are unable to regularly visit in person with their non-custodial parent.
Even when both divorced and separated parents begin by living in the same city, that changes over time. In the event that the living situations and custody arrangements need to be modified, parents will want to consult an attorney.
Source: Washington Times, "Virtual visitation: a sensible child custody option," Myra Fleischer, April 15, 2012
]]>While a mother might think they are doing well by preserving the relationship with the child's father, they are actually just enabling the father to skirt his obligations, which ultimately has a negative effect on the child
]]> Michigan moms can turn to a recent, high-profile case that frames this point perfectly. Bristol Palin, daughter of Alaska governor and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, finally pursued the collection of unpaid child support from the father of her 3-year-old son. Palin argued that her child's father has not issued a child support payment in the last 22 months and is behind a total of $39,000. The child's father is instructed to pay $1,750 a month to Palin.Palin and her legal team put off trying to collect the unpaid child support in hopes that the child's father would come around and fulfill the obligation every non-custodial father must. This, in hindsight, was not a good idea, as some people will only act when they are forced.
Palin's lawyer also said that Palin was hesitant to take legal action, where the father's wages could be garnished, because she did not want to pull the already estranged couple further apart.
Reports claim that the father is aware of his delinquency as he sent out a tweet during this year's Super Bowl about how he wanted to win his bet on the game so he could potentially pay down on some of the child support interest.
Parents need to be held accountable for the payments that they are ordered to make for child support. When they are delinquent, it may be appropriate for the other parent to take legal action.
Source: New York Daily News, "Bristol Palin: Levi Johnston owes me $39K in child support," Brian Browdie, April 7, 2012
]]>The husband, former Michigan State University basketball player Charlie Bell, filed for divorce in a Michigan court back in March of this year. The woman, who stars in a reality television show called "Basketball Wives", claims that Bell is spending a large amount of money overseas while she apparently struggles at home to support their kids.
]]> Bell has poked holes in her argument by highlighting the large amount of money she has blown living a lavished lifestyle. Bell said that the woman spent $9,000 on luggage and $110,000 for plastic surgery. Additionally, before the basketball player left for Europe, he left his soon-to-be ex-wife with $200,000. This does not exactly paint a picture of a woman struggling to get by with just a little bit of money.The woman may have her own parenting abilities to focus on. She was once charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after she stabbed her husband right in front of their kids.
Some parents can become angry and vengeful during a divorce. They may try to seek revenge through the divorce process by making false or exaggerated claims about their spouse. Fathers need to understand their rights when it comes to issues like child custody and child support payments. A person who is up against an angry or vengeful spouse in court may want to seek the help of an experienced attorney who may be able to protect a parent against baseless accusations.
Source: Vibe, "'Basketball Wives' Star Kenya Bell Accused of Blowing $100K on Plastic Surgery," April 2, 2012
]]>The information comes from a marriage research project in which 22,000 men and women were surveyed. Researchers concluded that because living together before marriage is now so common, it is less likely to result in marital strife later on. About 60 percent of people live together before they marry now, whereas only about 10 percent did so in the 1960s.
]]> An important caveat to these findings: Couples who lived together but were not engaged suffered higher divorce rates. Researchers found that engaged pairs who lived together before the wedding had similar divorce rates as those who had not lived together. Couples who were not formally committed, however, tended to divorce more often before the 10- and 15-year marks. In fact, those who were not engaged and living together were nearly 10 percent more likely to divorce. These findings support pervious conclusions.Researchers postulate that non-engaged couples may have different attitudes about commitment, making them less optimistic about marital success. For many of these couples, cohabitation is a sort of practice for married life. The problem is, though, that many cohabitation relationships ultimately result in children and marriage, which may not have been the initial intent.
As the environment of relationships and marriage change, so do the predictors and indicators that affect a divorce. Couples who live together and get married may face different challenges in the event of a divorce. Dividing assets that were accumulated prior to the marriage may be complex. Any children that a couple shares will likely be greatly affected by a divorce and custody arrangements. Working with an attorney may help divorcing couples sort out these issues and move forward.
Source: NPR, "Moving In Before Marriage No Longer A Bad Omen?" March 22, 2012
]]>Dell's lawyer told the court the man was an exceptional father to the toddler, full of devotion and care. The lawyer claims Lakshmi taught the child to call her boyfriend, a mogul with more than $1 billion, "Papa." He said it was wrong for the mother to attempt to steal the father's role from Dell.
An attorney representing Lakshmi said the mother wishes the father would have filed reports in a private manner instead of causing a public dispute surrounding her daughter. She added the mother hopes other matters in the case remain private.
Because cases involving children are often extremely emotional, parents may benefit from seeking legal advice. Situations, such as changing the last name of a child, may be unexpected and contentious. Working with an attorney may greatly benefit a parent who wants to protect his or her rights.
Source: NY Daily News, "Padma Lakshmi loses court battle with baby daddy," Joyce Chen, March 15, 2012
]]>Many times, negligent parents can be put in jail for not paying support because it is a crime. Instead of spending money putting these non-violent offenders in prison, however, new tactics and solutions are being explored.
]]> Recently, a judge in Kentucky decided to take a unique approach to punishing parents who fail to make their child support payments. Instead of jail time, parents can choose to spend a total of 40 hours standing outside the county justice building wearing a large sandwich board sign that reads, "I do not pay child support".The punishment is intended to hold offenders accountable for their financial negligence. Although the unique penalty is not designed to necessarily humiliate or embarrass a parent, many of the people wearing the signs say that passersby often have some derogatory comments for them.
So far, there is no conclusive information on whether or not this form of retribution is effective. Will it prevent parents from recommitting their failure to pay crime? Will it deter parents from skipping payments in the first place? It is important for parents who are ordered to pay child support to do so in full and on time. When this does not happen, legal consequences may occur. For those who experience a change in financial circumstances, there may be options to have the amount modified.
Source: WBIR, "Child support offenders wear signs to limit jail time," Stoney Sharp, March 9, 2012
]]>In Michigan, as in all states, domestic pets are considered to be property. In the eyes of the law, a cat or dog is more similar to a piece of furniture than it is to a child. Many pet owners will tell you, though, that they feel like parents to a pet. This discrepancy has historically caused a problem when couples decide to split up. Who has rights to the pet? Can visitation schedules be set?
]]> Fortunately, because more people have pets than ever before, the perception of ownership is changing. The increase in pet owners means that more and more people have developed emotional ties to a pet which makes custody and visitation universally important. Many judges will agree that a family pet is a part of the family, and want to decide custody arrangements accordingly.Because of the emotional connection people have with pets, couples will typically fight passionately to protect their rights to the companionship of their pet. Since the law has yet to catch up to the modern regard for pets, there is really no set of rules mandating custody and visitation rights. The only well-defined pattern in the courts is that when children are involved in a divorce, a judge will likely allow the pet to stay with the child.
Coming to an agreement on pet visitation can greatly affect the rest of the divorce proceedings. It is a difficult decision to be made, but once a couple works this out, the discussions about mortgages and debt may go more smoothly. In any case, because determining pet custody is a gray area, it may be helpful for couples to work with a legal professional who can make sure arrangements are fair and executed properly.
Source: Detroit Free Press, "Divorce lawyers: Pet custody cases increasing," Sue Manning, March 4, 2012
]]>Parents are encouraged to empathize with their children and imagine how they would feel if they were in the child's shoes. Many kids are afraid that their parents will abandon them or may even feel as though the divorce was their fault. Parents can reassure their children by pledging their unwavering support despite their feelings toward their ex-partner.
]]> Additionally, adults should consider children's developmental stages when deciding how to handle a divorce. The children will relate to their parents differently as they age, and clear communication at all stages is beneficial. Parents should also remember to keep children out of adult arguments or disagreements, especially those concerning custody agreements or schedules.Furthermore, maintaining a close physical presence is extremely important. Parents should make sincere efforts to stay in the same town, for example. This not only makes scheduling easier, but it also shows the children that they matter to both parents. Kids need a space in each home that they can claim so they feel comfortable in both environments. They need to feel as though they are members of the family at both homes. Ultimately, parents need to prioritize their children's needs and feelings to increase the likelihood of maintaining a functional relationship.
Seeking the help of a legal professional may help divorcing parents develop fair and successful co-parenting plans.
Source: The Huffington Post, "Parenting Well Post-Divorce," Marie Hartwell-Walker, Feb. 23, 2012
]]>Up until recently, it was much more common for films to depict the plight of single mothers. This past year, however, has seen the showings of "Moneyball," "We Bought a Zoo" and "The Descendants" which all have a single father as the central character. While none of them are portrayed as perfect fathers, each of the characters is genuinely and deeply involved in the lives of his children, and determined to make a go of being a single parent.
]]> It is encouraging that each film has been nominated to receive an Oscar award this weekend. The nominations are drawing attention to the role of a single father who must balance career and parenting requirements.By focusing on the role of single father, Hollywood may be spotlighting the issues that many men face every single day. Working around child custody, visitation, changes in circumstances and parental relocations, men across the country may find themselves in a fight for their right to parent or co-parent.
Fathers traditionally have experienced great difficulty in winning and keeping custody of their children. At an earlier point in time, it was quite common for courts to simply assume that mothers were better equipped to handle child custody and child rearing. This is no longer the case for many parents.
Additionally, a father who is unmarried or divorced may face acts of vengeance from the mother of their child. In these situations, a man will likely have to fight back in order to maintain a relationship with his child. Working with an attorney, a man can take action against a mother who has jeopardized his right to a positive and strong parent-child relationship.
Source: SecondAct, "Hollywood's Nod to Single Dads," Jane Ganahl, Feb. 17, 2012
]]>Divorce is quite common, and roughly half of all marriages end in one. Every city in the United States shows that divorce rates are higher in women. In Detroit, Michigan, 12.4 percent of women and 9.6 percent of men are divorced.
]]> There is no one reason that so many couples choose February to get divorced. Perhaps the stress of the holidays has finally passed and a person can now focus on taking care of their relationships. With spring right around the corner, maybe there is a desire to get a fresh start in their personal connections.Whatever the reasons, the decision to get divorced is not an easy one. In most cases, it is a one-sided decision. This may be the situation if one spouse discovers infidelity or is extremely hurt by the other spouse. Increasingly, people are referring to Facebook for evidence in divorce cases which likely means there was activity by one spouse that the other found unacceptable.
While many people may think that going through a divorce can be expensive, Michigan residents may have it better than others. Divorces are the most expensive in Los Angeles. However, some studies suggest that the process is getting longer and more expensive every year. The average cost of getting divorced is $18,400 and takes an average of 8 months.
It is obvious that not everyone is feeling the love and warmth that Valentine's Day is supposed to bring. For many people, this time of year is about getting started on their own future. Divorce is not always about ending something; it can also be about starting a new life and moving forward.
Source: The Huffington Post, "February: Most Active Month for Divorce," Richard Komaiko, Feb. 13, 2012
]]>Parents sometimes don't know about fathers' rights and they find themselves alienated by children who will not return their calls or acknowledge their presence. Some mothers even file false abuse claims or use other nefarious methods to keep fathers away from their kids. Despite these threats, fathers have a number of personal options to assert their paternity.
]]> Fathers can use a variety of specialized tactics to encourage the father-child relationship. The most important element of repairing and maintaining a relationship with a child is consistent attention; children need to be nurtured, cared for and loved. Without constant contribution and effort, even the strongest relationship can deteriorate after a divorce. Parents must demonstrate that they are dependable, trustworthy, loving and empathetic throughout the entire process.Fathers are particularly urged to continue to play with their children. Play can include time in the park, coloring or board games. Teenaged children might enjoy playing video games. Parents can learn a lot about their kids by the way in which they play.
Talking to children is also an important part of the relationship because it allows children to share their feelings about the divorce. Conversation also allows fathers to share loving thoughts and be supportive.
Additionally, fathers can improve their relationships with their children by participating in activities outside of the home such as attending sporting events or getting involved in school functions. Parents who split up don't have to divorce their kids, too. They can maintain healthy relationships by following these simple tips.
Source: The Huffington Post, "Don't Divorce Your Kids," Nancy Fagan, Feb. 2, 2012
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