Custody in Michigan

Michigan custody laws – the videos

Michigan child custody law can be complex but don’t worry. We make it easy to help you understand this area of the law with the Michigan Divorce Education Series of videos on custody.

Child Custody in Michigan

Michigan divorce law and change of circumstances.

In Michigan a change of circumstances is required to modify custody, child support, spousal support or parenting time. One of the most common questions asked to practitioners in family law cases involves modification of custody, child support, spousal support or parenting time in circumstances when the client perceives the result as unfair. In addressing the[…]

Custody in Michigan

Understanding Michigan custody law.

Michigan Custody Law can be broken down into three steps. First, (in modification cases), you must address proper cause or change of circumstances. Second, you must address an established custodial environment. Third, you must address the best interest of the child factors.

Custody in Michigan

Child Custody Jurisdiction

On March 12, 2020, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its opinion in the case of Negron vs. Watts.  In this Michigan custody action, the mother argued on appeal that the court lacked child custody jurisdiction to decide the case. Therefore, the final custody and parenting time order granting father sole legal and physical custody[…]

abandonment

Dear John letter? Abandonment in a Michigan divorce case.

“By the time you read this line, I’ll be gone. . .” originates from a popular 1980’s sit-com by the name Dear John starring Judd Hirsch, premised the abandonment of his wife, who simply got up and left his relationship. Abandonment may be relevant in a Michigan divorce but is not an independent cause of action[…]

best interest of child factors

What is really in your child’s best interest?

You learn some big words in law school.  Take for example the law school phrase, res ipsa loquitur, which is a legal principle that an occurrence of an accident implies negligence or escheat, which involves the forfeiture of property. While the phrase best interest of a child seems simple enough, applying the concept of what is[…]

Findling Law

A letter to the Newly Minted Attorney – Kristina Bilowus

The Ghost of a Lawyer Future – A letter to the Newly Minted Attorney Kristina Bilowus, is an associate attorney at Findling Law and adjunct professor at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Kristina had the honor of being published in the November 2017 Michigan Bar Journal, a publication by the State Bar of Michigan.[…]

Michigan custody modification

Michigan custody modification

The Brady Bunch got it right when they sang the once well-known verse of their hit single: “When it’s time to change, you’ve got to rearrange.”  However, in custody cases, change does not always come easy. In fact, Michigan custody modification law makes it difficult to “rearrange” custody if the change is really big.  By[…]

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (e)

Custody in Michigan – Best interest of the child factor (e) One of the twelve child custody factors set forth in the Child Custody Act is best interest of the child factor (e). Best interest of the child factor (e) examines the permanence, as a family unit of the proposed custodial home or homes.  Best interest[…]

Birthday parenting time

Michigan parenting time and the child’s birthday

Michigan parenting time and the child’s birthday Parenting time in Michigan time governs the times and frequency parents spend with their children.  In a perfect world, parents get along and a parenting time order could read something like:  “The parents are awarded liberal and frequent parenting time”.  Since we do not live in a perfect[…]

Reasonable parenting time in Michigan

Reasonable parenting time in Michigan. Michigan divorce and Michigan custody law provides that children have a right to a relationship with both parents.   This is sometimes accomplished with an award of liberal and reasonable parenting time in Michigan for the parents or a specific reasonable parenting time schedule. Absent an agreement by the parties, the[…]

Michigan Custody and Support in Divorce Cases

Michigan legal custody – What to do when you cannot agree?

Michigan legal custody – What to do when you cannot agree?  By:  Daniel Findling Most divorce cases end with both parents being awarded joint legal custody.  “Joint legal custody” means both parents are entitled to equal access and input to the educational, medical, religious needs of the child.  With joint legal custody parents must jointly[…]

Fundamental Right

The fundamental right to parent

Is the right to parent a fundamental right?  The answer is yes! The 14th Amendment’s due process clause of the U.S. Constitution protects “life, liberty or property”.  Fundamental rights are rights so important that the U.S. Constitution provides for heightened protection against government interference.  Without this heightened protection against government interference, States could could infringe on “life,[…]

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