In Michigan child custody cases, many factors will be discussed when determining decision-making rights, living arrangements, and parenting time. First and foremost, the courts will strive to serve the child’s best interests. In general, the parents will focus on the child as well. However, given the chance that the marriage ended badly and the sides are in dispute over myriad…
During and after a divorce, child custody and parenting plans can become complicated and expensive, and have some negative effects on their kids. It is this fear of the hardships of divorce that can often keep unhappy couples together long past when they should have separated. But, there are creative solutions to make the transition much easier for everyone in…
Although they can be incredibly resilient, children are also extraordinarily fragile. To thrive, they need a safe home environment where they are loved and supported, and some routine doesn’t hurt either. But the sad reality is that far too many children are subjected to unhealthy, unstable, inconsistent, and downright dangerous living conditions, including those that involve parental substance abuse. Exposure…
When a couple decides to divorce and they have children, they will need to decide on a custody arrangement. There are two types of child custody, legal and physical custody. Legal custody allows a parent to make important decisions for the child about their education, religion and health. Physical custody refers to which parent the child lives with and where…
When a Michigan couple decides their only option is to get a divorce it has often been quite a process to get to this stage. A divorce is not an easy decision and can affect every aspect of a person’s life. There are many issues that a couple needs to work through in a divorce and if children are involved,…
Typically, when a couple gets married, one spouse will assume the last name of the other spouse. If they have a child, that child will take the same surname as the parents. If the couple divorces at some point, the spouse who assumed the surname usually returns to their original last name. But what about a child? What if a…
Child custody decisions can have a significant impact on the lives of children, parents and families. For that reason, parents should be familiar with how child custody is determined when a child custody arrangement must be reached between the parents. Factors used to determine child custody Child custody factors that are used to make child custody decisions include: The love,…
As we’ve discussed previously on the blog, there are many factors that go into a best interests determination as it pertains to child custody. That’s why when you have to deal with a child custody dispute, you’re better off taking a holistic approach to the issue. While each factor of the best interests determination can play a role in a…
The parents of any child are rightfully concerned with the decisions of any issue that impact their child, especially larger decision with long-term effects. That concern does not diminish following a divorce, whether a parent retains physical custody of the child or not. Join legal custody In most divorces, Michigan courts will award joint legal custody to a child’s parents.…
When Michigan parents have separated, they often have to work through a child custody agreement. The agreement is almost always led by keeping the best interests of the child in the forefront. The term “best interests of the child” has a particular meaning in family law cases. According to the Michigan Child Custody Act of 1970 there are 12 factors…