Holiday Parenting Time in Michigan The holidays can be overwhelming for families that are divorced or in the process of getting a divorce. While the holidays are traditionally spent as one family, after divorce, the holidays are typically celebrated in two different households sharing similar (or different) traditions. While many Michigan divorce and Michigan custody[…]
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 child custody and parenting time – The moral fitness of the parties. By: Daniel Findling In every parenting time and custody case in Michigan, the court is required to evaluate the best interest of the children. Michigan adopted the Child Custody Act and requires a court to consider the best interest of a child.[…]
Christmas parenting time (visitation) after divorce: More than 8 out of 10 Americans anticipate stress during the holiday season according to the American Psychological Association. (http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/parents-holiday.aspx) The stress felt by individuals during or after a divorce is probably higher, especially during Christmas. In Michigan, the divorce and custody court give the parties leeway in fashioning[…]
Parenting time in Michigan (visitation law): What does Michigan law provide? How can you modify parenting time in Michigan? Want more than the basics? Click the button. Parenting time and visitation mean the same thing under Michigan law. The statute, MCL 722.27(a) uses the term visitation to describe the frequency and duration a parent spends[…]
Parenting time or visitation is similar to child custody and describes the frequency of time a child spends with each parent. We invite you to explore our knowledge base. Parenting time Resources We provide exceptional representation and can help you manage your situation. Quick Navigation – Parenting time Sometimes the biggest challenge in a divorce[…]
Parenting time and visitation guidelines and directives: When parents are going through a divorce, it is not uncommon for children to struggle with the situation. After all, children want to love both their parents, even if the parents may no longer love each other. It can be difficult to shield your children from the stress[…]
Michigan Divorce Education Series Michigan child custody, child support and parenting time: This video Webinar is a comprehensive explanation of Michigan law and strategy covering child custody, child support, and parenting time. Key learnings and strategies are discussed. I am hopeful you find it both empowering and educational. A summary of the topics covered is[…]
On June 13, 2017, the Michigan Court of appeals issued a published opinion on Grandparent time. In the case of Geering v. King et. al., Mich. App. No. 335794, the trial court made a determination that the biological parents were unfit and that grandparent time was in the children’s best interest notwithstanding the biological parent’s[…]
You’ve probably heard of co-parenting, a term used to describe the situation in which a child’s parents are no longer married or living together. These parents are no longer together as a couple, but they work together to parent the child. But, what happens when the conflict between the parents is really high? They really[…]
It’s called parenting guilt, and all parents feel it at one time or another. In fact, the best of parents in the most secure relationships with excellent financial and emotional security can feel it. So, if you’re in the process of divorce or are newly divorced, it’s not unusual to feel like a parenting failure.[…]
Co-Parenting Plan One of the biggest challenges in a divorce is the determination of how time with the child (or children, as the case may be) will be split between the parents. A written document outlining how the parents will raise the child after divorce (and, sometimes, after separation), is called a co-parenting plan, visitation,[…]
When you’re going through a divorce, there is a lot to think about. When children are involved, they can be one of the biggest sources of both comfort and worry during this major life change. Whether you get along with your spouse or not, it can be very tricky to figure out the best living[…]
Super Lawyer – New York Times rising star – Daniel J. Debene: Michigan Divorce Lawyer, Daniel J. DeBene an associate of Findling law was recently awarded a Super Lawyer rising star. We want to Congratulate Mr. DeBene. ATTORNEY PROFILE – Daniel J. DeBene Bio: Working directly with Mr. Findling since 2008, Mr. DeBene specializes exclusively[…]
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 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).
Informatative videos on Michigan Custody Law will empower you!
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[…]
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.
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[…]
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).
An introduction to divorce begins with the definition of divorce. “Divorce” is the legal process by which a marriage ends and changes your legal status from married to divorced. In Michigan the court will address the division of property and debts, alimony (sometimes called spousal support), and in cases involving minor children custody and parenting[…]
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.
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,[…]
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[…]