CHILD CUSTODY

Child Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support Lawyers

Filing a petition with a court having proper jurisdiction will establish custody, parenting time, or child support.  If the parents are unable to come to an agreement, the Court must determine both the legal and physical custody of the minor children.  In addition, the Court will determine a parenting time schedule and the proper child support obligation of each parent.  Our experienced child custody lawyers will help you understand the process and guide you through these legalities. 

Child Custody

Analyzing statutory factors, called the best-interest factors, the Court will determine what custody arrangement of the minor children.   Based upon these factors, the court will determine both legal and physical custody of the minor children.  The Court could decide the parties will share joint custody or decide sole custody is appropriate under the circumstances. Legal custody determines who is responsible for making important life decisions for the children, including health care and educational decisions.   Physical custody refers to where the minor children reside and when they reside there.   Our experienced child custody lawyers have litigated these factors at both the lower court level and the appellate level, and can provide exceptional legal advise in making your delicate custody decisions. 

Parenting Time

If the parties are unable to agree on a parenting time schedule, the court must determine the schedule by considering the best interest factors and the parenting time factors.   The needs of the minor children and the abilities of each parent in providing those needs guides this analysis.   The Court typically awards regular parenting time, summer parenting time, and holiday parenting time. 

Child Support 

Michigan has mandated the utilization of the Michigan Child Support Formula, which balances the overnights the children spend with each parent and the incomes of both parents.  Both deviations and imputations from the Formula are permitted if certain facts are established and when one of the parents is self-employed the Formula requires a specific factual analysis.   The issues that arise in child support disputes are highly complex and require specific legal expertise to ensure your rights are adequately protected.

Do not settle for less than the best when it comes to your children.  Call 810-227-7777 to schedule your free consultation today with one of our child custody lawyers.

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