Bloomfield Hills Joint Child Custody Attorney

Last updated on April 20, 2026

If you are like the vast majority of parents who divorce in Michigan, you will have a joint child custody plan with your former spouse. However, exactly how that plan looks and works should be individualized to best meet the needs of your family. There are few limitations to working out what is best for you and your family.

Bloomfield Hills attorney Lisa D. Stern has guided families to sound decisions in custody matters since 1995. She can help you craft a joint child custody plan that helps both parents stay involved with their children’s lives while reducing future disputes. If you are ready to build a custody plan that protects your role as a parent, call 248-973-7842 today.

What Is Joint Child Custody?

Many people think that a joint child custody plan means that you will share time with your children 50-50. However, joint custody does not necessarily mean that you and your former spouse will have equal time with your children. In most cases, however, one parent will have primary physical custody, at least during the school week. The other parent will have overnight visits according to a parenting plan that you and your spouse negotiate.

Joint child custody in Michigan includes both legal custody and physical custody, and understanding the difference between the two is important when creating a parenting plan. Legal custody is a parent’s right to make major decisions about the child’s upbringing, including education, health care and religious guidance. On the other hand, physical custody determines where the child lives and how parenting time is shared between both parents.

Michigan courts have age-appropriate guidelines for the amount of time the child spends with each parent:

• Infant to one year
• One year to five years
• Children of school age
• Teenage years

For each stage of your child’s life, a different parenting time schedule may be appropriate.

Even though you and your spouse may not have equal time with your children, you will have equal say in major life decisions for your child. In addition, a spouse with primary residential custody will need court permission to relocate with the child or change schools if the other parent objects.

Read the article that discusses a study showing public opinion in favor of equal custody.

What Are Some Advantages And Disadvantages Of 50/50 Custody?

A 50/50 child custody arrangement allows both parents to remain actively involved in daily life. This structure supports strong relationships and aligns with the best interests of the child when parents cooperate well. 

It also reflects shared legal custody, where both parents make key decisions together. However, frequent transitions can be stressful for some children and scheduling conflicts may arise. Parents must communicate consistently for this arrangement to work.

How Does Child Support Work In Michigan Joint Custody Arrangements?

In Michigan, child support is still required even in joint legal physical custody situations. Courts calculate support based on income, parenting time and the child’s needs.

A 50/50 child custody split does not automatically eliminate payments. Instead, the parent with higher income may still contribute more. The goal is to maintain fairness and protect the best interests of the child, regardless of how time is divided.

What Are The Most Common Joint Child Custody Schedules In Michigan?

Courts approve custody schedules that promote stability and routine. Common options include:

• Alternating weeks, where the parents trade custody every seven days
• 2-2-3 rotation, where the child spends two days with one parent, two with the other, then three with the first parent before the schedule reverses
• 3-4-4-3 schedule, where the child spends three days with one parent, four with the other, then four with the first and three with the other

These joint legal custody schedules vary based on the child’s age and the parents’ availability. The right plan supports shared legal custody while meeting the child’s daily needs.

Contact Lawyer Lisa D. Stern

For an initial consultation with Michigan lawyer Lisa Stern, call 248-973-7842 or complete the online contact form. You can discuss every aspect of joint custody and parenting time with utmost candor and confidentiality.

Related Blog Posts