Michigan Child Custody Attorneys

Michigan Child Custody

Child custody is often the most contentious issue associated with divorce – as well as the most emotional. That is why child custody cases require extreme care and extraordinary understanding. At Friedman Law Firm, that is exactly what you will receive. We work closely with our clients to protect the legal rights of both the parent and the child, explaining the process in detail so you can make informed decisions every step of the way.

Michigan Child Custody Law Basics

The basics: “Child custody” pertains to the rights and responsibilities of each parent and child in a family. Custody determines the amount of time a child will spend with each parent. It also outlines each parent’s decision-making abilities. The court’s custody decisions aim to strengthen children’s ties with their parents, not weaken them. However, if a child’s physical, mental, or emotional health is affected, an alternate determination may be made.

Factors Courts Consider When Determining Michigan Child Custody

Michigan courts must consider numerous factors in any custody decision, as dictated by the Michigan Child Custody Act. These points are taken into account:

• The love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the parties involved and the child.
• The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to give the child love, affection, and guidance and the continuation of the education and raising of the child in his or her religion or creed, if any
• The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care, or other remedial care recognized and permitted under the laws of this state in place of medical care, and other material needs
• The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment, and the desirability of maintaining continuity.
• The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes.
• The moral fitness of the parties involved.
• The mental and physical health of the parties involved.
• The home, school, and community record of the child.
• The reasonable preference of the child, if the court considers the child to be of sufficient age to express preference.
• The willingness and ability of each of the parties to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent or the child and the parents.
• Domestic violence, regardless of whether the violence was directed at or witnessed by the child.
• Any other factor considered by the court to be of relevance to a particular child custody dispute.

Our Michigan Child Custody Lawyers In Royal Oak Can Help

Michigan child custody agreements are not one size fits all. Numerous possibilities exist. It is important to note that if a parent requests joint custody, the judge must consider it. Our child custody attorneys will help you decide on the arrangement that suits your child’s best interests, and then fight to make your request a reality. For help with your Michigan child custody case, contact Friedman Law Firm today.