Moving out of the house

The decision to move out of the house.

You made the decision your marriage is over and you want out. Michigan law does not require you to stay in the house during a divorce. You may want to avoid conflict or simply begin the process of moving on. However, you should consider the following before deciding to move out. First, there are financial[…]

When is a divorce settlement final?

Suppose a client comes into your office expressing buyer’s doubt, buyer’s remorse, regret, or simply that sinking feeling experienced a few hours or days after settlement. The client has changed his/her mind. Typically, the client is seeking a second opinion, having lost confidence in his/her lawyer. Most lawyers want to make their clients happy. However,[…]

Custody in Michigan

Best Interest of the child questions to ask?

Every child custody or parenting time case requires an examination of what is in the Best interest of the child which are 12 factors defined in Michigan Compiled Law section 722.23. In this article, we will explore sample questions that can be asked relating to each Best Interest of the child factor. Sample Best interest[…]

Custody in Michigan

Does child custody even matter anymore?

raditionally, Child custody came in two forms. Legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is defined by statute (MCL 722.26a(7)(b)) and refers to the “decision making authority as to important decisions affecting the welfare of the child”. However, physical custody is not defined by statute.

Jugde Amanda Shelton

The Divorce Judges of Oakland County 2024

The 2024 Judges of Macomb County come from a diverse background and family law experience. At Findling Law, we have the great privilege of appearing before all seven of the full-time family court (divorce court) Judges of Oakland County. These Judges are assigned cases involving divorce, custody, support and related family law matters. In this[…]

Spying on Spouse

Considering spying on your spouse? Is it legal?

Privacy is not so private anymore. It was not too long ago that the best mechanism to spy on your spouse was to hire a private investigator to monitor your spouse to provide evidence of salacious conduct or confirm your suspicions. Boy have things changed! Spying on your spouse video (c) 2024 Findling Law. Spousal[…]

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How to change custody in Michigan

A child custody decision is always modifiable. After all, circumstances change and when they do, it may warrant a change. However, it is not easy to change custody in Michigan. In fact, there are legal barriers which must be met to avoid disruptions. The legal authority to modify custody in Michigan can be found in[…]

Michigan Divorce

Frustrated and thinking about divorce?

Happiness and “in love” are not always equal. You can remain in love with your spouse and remain unhappy in your marriage. Communication, trust and forgiveness may be cornerstones to a successful marriage, however, so is happiness. After all, everyone should have a right to be happy. If you are frustrated and thinking about divorce[…]

Custody

A child custody determination?

A child custody determination is defined by statute. Specifically the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act found in MCL 722.1102(c). In many instances a parenting time case or other case is actually a custody case and custody law (vs. for example parenting time law) would apply. (c) “Child-custody determination” means a judgment, decree, or other[…]

Parenting Time

An introduction to parenting time

Parenting time (visitation) defines the frequency and duration each party spends with their child. Under Michigan law, parenting time is governed by statute. Specifically, Michigan Compiled Laws 722.27a, which is more commonly known as the parenting time statute.

Custody in Michigan

An introduction to custody

There are two types of custody. Legal custody, which describes how parents shall share decision-making authority MCL 722.27a and Physical custody describes physical care and supervision of a child. MCL 722.1102(n).

Custody in Michigan

Temporary custody orders

A request for a temporary custody order may be made at any time during the pendency of the case by filing a verified motion that sets forth facts sufficient to support the relief requested. (See: MCR 3.207(C))

Parenting Time

How to enforce parenting time (or any order).

On October 26, 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its opinion in the case of Josey vs. Hayes. An appeal filed by Ms. Hayes after the trial court found her in contempt of court for failing to abide by a parenting time order. Althought Ms. Hayes managed to win on appeal (the trial court[…]

Custody in Michigan

Child Custody Modification. Trial Court reversed.

In what appears to be a rush to judgment to protect a minor child’s mental health, the trial court in the Barretta case, changed custody without following the three steps to modify child custody.

Custody in Michigan

Custody award overturned on appeal

On June 29, 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals overturned an an award of sole physical custody and instructed the trial court to conduct further proceedings in the case of Bitar v. Baroody. In this case, the trial court granted the mother sole physical custody with the father having parenting time every other weekend. However,[…]

Custody in Michigan

Can you agree on Custody?

While agreements on custody are usually “rubber stamped” and approved by the court, the court must make an independent determination that the agreement is in the best interest of the minor child. However, you can agree on parenting time.

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Divorce in Michigan – Everything you need to know

Marriage struggles are real and sometimes things just don’t work out the way you plan. If your unhappy and are considering a divorce in Michigan, here is everything you need to know. Sometimes things don’t get better. However, the proverb “knowledge is power” can help you take control of your situation with a fresh start[…]

custody

The Different Types of Custody.

In sum, although court’s have created two types of custody (Physical and Legal), however, there is really only one type of custody that has two parts (The frequency of parenting time (MCL 722.26a(7)(a)) and decision making authority (MCL 722.26a(b)(b).

discovery

Discovery. The process of finding assets in divorce.

It is imperative to understand the nature and extent of the marital estate before reaching a property settlement in divorce. In a Michigan divorce case, the formal process of finding assets is called discovery. After all, you cannot negotiate a good deal until you have an understanding about what there is to divide and the[…]

custody

The effects of divorce on children

The science behind the effects of divorce on children in sound. Although each family is unique, divorce has been shown to have a negative impact on a child. However, research supports the notion that the impact of staying in an unhealthy marriage can be worse, as a child learns that it is ok to be[…]

Divorce process

The Early Intervention Conference in Oakland County

The Oakland County Friend of the Court (FOC) consists of a group of attorneys, counselors and support staff which assist the court in cases involving minor children or support by providing a formal (or informal) dispute resolution service including custody and support valuations. Another important function of the FOC is to conduct an Early Intervention[…]

Custody modification

Child Custody – a case of proper cause.

On January 26, 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its opinion in the highly contentious case of Hawes v. Cromie, the unmarried parents of a 13 year old son. For more than ten years, the child’s parents have litigated over every aspect resulting in the court noting that: Throughout the last decade, the parents’[…]

Changing custody

How a court prevents you from changing custody

Suppose you are involved in a contested child custody battle and lose. Why can’t you simply refile the case and try again? The answer is provided in the seminal case of Vodvarka v. Grassmeyer. In Vodvarka, the Michigan Court of Appeals created a barrier to changing custody in order to avoid repeated custody evaluations.

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