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…
Parents in Bloomfield Hills who are going through a divorce often want to protect their children as much as possible. They may wonder if it there is a good age to divorce or if they should even stay together for the kids. It is no secret that divorce will affect a child, even if the final outcome is beneficial for…
Child custody and parenting time can be difficult for Michigan couples during and after a divorce. The goal is to craft a nurturing and positive environment for the child while serving his or her best interests and simultaneously assist the parents in maintaining a relationship with the child. However, custodial parents might want to change their residence and bring the…
Once the divorce is final, the ex-spouses are free to move on with dreams of a new life, new relationships, and often new locations. According to the Census Bureau, most Americans move 12 times during their adult lives, and many of the re-locations happen before the age of 40. When children are involved, the parents usually wish to keep some…
Preparing for the child custody process can be challenging. For that reason, divorcing parents should prepare themselves by understanding how child custody is determined in Michigan with a focus on what is in the best interests of the child. The best interests of the child standard The best interests of the child standard is used to determine what child custody…
When some couples divorce, they have an easy time working out a custody agreement. Yet, you and your spouse’s split may be contentious. You might have concerns about their fitness as a parent and are ready to seek sole custody. Before you do, it’s crucial to consider whether such an arrangement is in your children’s best interests. How custody works…
If parents decide to divorce, must the children stand up before a judge and choose which parent they want to live with? No. There are several reasons why not. For starters: Under Michigan law, children do not have the legal right to choose where they want to live until they turn 18 and become legal adults. In family courts, judges…
Michigan parents who are negotiating child custody might have to deal with a challenge if one of the parents claims parental alienation. While experts question its credibility, parental alienation is still being used and accepted in courts and can significantly impact the outcome of a child custody dispute. While most parents have the best interests of the child in mind…
Part of looking out for a child’s best interests when co-parenting involves creating an effective parenting plan. Michigan co-parents may be interested in learning about some basic guidelines on how to divide time between parents based on a child’s age. Babies and toddlers can easily be put in a state of distress when changes to their schedule occur. They need…
Many challenges can arise when co-parenting children after a divorce in Michigan. However, communicating with an ex-spouse is crucial if one wants their kids to grow up to be well-balanced and healthy adults. This means that co-parents may need to sit down and discuss strategies that will encourage their children to cooperate with the parenting plan. To ensure that the…