Michigan Visitation and Parenting time – Michigan Divorce Attorneys – Articles and Videos
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.
In Michigan, the parenting time statute provides that parenting time shall be granted in the best interest of the child. The State Court Administrative Office publishes the guidelines for parenting time which is directed to help Friend of the court’s around the State. Each county also has their own guidelines. We help you understand what 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[…]
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).
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.
On October 20, 2022, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its opinion in the case of Krieg v. Krieg after the trial court changed primary custody of the parties minor child to the mother and addressing the issue of supervised parenting time. The parties married in July 2014. Shortly after the parties married, father began[…]
Michigan child custody laws provide a two-step process for determining child custody. The first step determines the existence of an establish custodial environment which determines the burden of proof required. The second step examines the best interest of the child factors which must be examined by the court applying the applicable burden of proof.
Visitation and parenting time mean exactly the same thing under Michigan law. The term visitation is old and more appropriate for visiting someone in prison than enjoying time with a child. Some time ago, in an effort to avoid marginalizing or insulting a parent, courts began replacing visitation with the term parenting time, a kinder[…]
Our child custody and parenting time videos have been viewed tens of thousands of times and we just added a new video.
There are nine parenting time factors a court should consider when determining the frequency, duration and type of parenting time to be granted. The factors are set forth in MCL 722.27a(7)(a-i
A change in the established custodial environment occurs if parenting-time adjustments change whom the child naturally looks to for guidance, discipline, the necessities of life, and parental comfort.
A trial court can enter and order changing custody, however, before a court may consider modification, the party requesting the change must demonstrate proper cause or a change of circumstances since the entry of the last custody order.
MCL 722.27a(2): If the parents of a child agree on parenting time terms, the court shall order the parenting time terms unless the court determines on the record by clear and convincing evidence that the parenting time terms are not in the best interests of the child.
Although the threshold requirements to modify custody or a motion to modify parenting time go by the same names, proper cause or a change of circumstance to change custody or modify parenting time have different meanings.
A determination of an established custodial environment is important because a court cannot enter an order for child custody (or modify an existing order) without first determining if an established custodial environment exists and the trial court must make clear findings on this issue before deciding custody.
In Michigan, a custodial parent is the the parent with whom a child spends the majority of overnights with during the course of a year. This definition is similar to that used by the Internal Revenue Service when determining dependent status for tax purposes.
There are two paths in every divorce, the emotional path and the legal path. We trust that you understand how you feel. We help you understand the law.
Prior to suspending parenting time of a party, the trial court must hold an evidentiary hearing and find by clear and convincing evidence that continuation of parenting time would endanger the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health. Rozek v Rozek, 203 Mich App 193, 194-195; 511 NW2d 693 (1993).
With Memorial Day in our rear-view mirror, we look forward to summer. Sunny days. Lemonade stands. Pool toys. Boats. Games of capture the flag. Ice cream trucks. Sleep-away camp. These are just some of the many things we associate with the summer months in the great State of Michigan. Unfortunately, we are entering summer during[…]
There are two common ex parte orders entered in a Michigan divorce case. The first is called a financial status quo order and the second is a restraining order regarding property transfer.
Simply put, there is no limit as to how often child support can be modified in Michigan, provided there is a significant change of circumstance since the entry of the last child support order.
If you are involved in a divorce or custody matter in Oakland County Michigan than you need to know about the Oakland County Friend of the Court.Like the name implies, the Friend of the Court (“FOC”) assists the Oakland County Divorce and Family Court Judges. If an Oakland County divorce or Child custody or Child[…]
This video on changing custody in Michigan (custody modification) video webinar provides the most updated information on modifying child custody and an existing child custody order. We believe that knowledge is not only comforting but will put you in control of your situation which is why we created the Michigan Divorce Education Series and in[…]
The divorce laws in Michigan provide that a divorce will be granted upon a finding by the court that there has been a breakdown in the marriage. This language summarizes the no-fault divorce law that changes your legal status from married to divorced. The Divorce Laws in Michigan – No fault divorce. The no-fault divorce[…]
With over 21,000 views in just a few years we decided it was time to update another of our most popular webinars. The Michigan Divorce Steps (Michigan Divorce Process) video webinar provides the most updated information on the steps of a Michigan divorce. We believe that knowledge is not only comforting but will put you[…]