If you're in a child custody dispute in Michigan, having an experienced parenting plan attorney is crucial. They will guide you through the physical custody process and work for the best outcome for your family.
A parenting time lawyer in Michigan will ensure any court order is fair and in the children's best interest. They'll give you reasonable parenting time advice and help you make informed decisions. They should know Michigan law and advise you on the best course of action. Find a child custody attorney familiar with the joint custody and sole custody legal system in your county. With the right legal representation, your family's best interests will be protected.
Clarity Family Law firm's parenting time attorneys are here to help ensure you continue to have a strong relationship with your child or children.
What Is Parenting Time in Michigan?
In Michigan, parenting time is the time a parent spends with their child, typically following a legal custody order or agreement. Parenting time in Michigan is often referred to as “visitation” or “access” and it can include anything from overnight visits to regular phone calls.
It also applies to non-custodial parents who are not involved in the child’s day-to-day life. Parenting time is important for both the child's emotional health and the non-custodial parent's as it helps preserve a relationship between them.
Learning More About Parenting Time in Michigan
If you are a parent in Michigan, it is important to understand the state’s parenting time law. This law outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parents when it comes to their children. It also guides how to resolve disputes between parents after the dissolution of the family unit.
Understanding the child custody arrangements and child custody law can help you make informed decisions about your parenting plan and ensure that your child’s best interests are kept in mind.
Who Decides Parenting Time in Michigan?
When it comes to parenting time plans in the state of Michigan, the court typically decides how much time each parent will spend with their minor child. In most cases, Michigan courts will follow the “best interests of the child” standard when determining parenting time. This means that the court will consider factors when determining visitation schedules such as:
- The relationship between each parent and the child
- The mental, moral fitness, and physical health of each parent
- The ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs
- Any special needs of the child
- The wishes of the child, if he or she is old enough to express an opinion.
If you are having difficulty agreeing on parenting time in Michigan, it is important to have a knowledgeable attorney by your side.
Establishing a Parenting Time Schedule During Your Divorce
When going through a divorce in Michigan with children, it's important to establish a parenting schedule. Visitation matters can be established through mediation or the court system.
The schedule should include details about when, where, and for what duration each parent will spend time with the children. It should be specific and flexible enough to handle changes like illnesses or holidays.
Consider your child's best interests, both parents' schedules and other relevant factors such as transportation and travel costs. A Michigan parenting time lawyer can assist in creating an enforceable agreement that meets your family's needs.
Factors the Court Can Take Into Account in Determining the Length, Frequency, and Type of Parenting Time
When the court is making a parenting time determination, they consider various factors, which may include but are not limited to:
- The wishes of the child and their parents. Depending on the age and maturity of the child, their wishes may be taken into consideration during the court’s decision-making process. In special circumstances, if there is convincing evidence of domestic violence, the potential for a parent to detain or there is the likelihood of abuse of a child this will impact the parenting time decision.
- The parents' health. The court will take into account the physical and mental health of the parents, including any medical conditions or health concerns that may impact their ability to care for their children.
The financial resources of each parent. This may include income, assets, and other resources such as child support payments. - The child’s home environment. The court will evaluate the home environment of each parent to determine which would be a more suitable and satisfactory environment for the child.
- The distance between each parent’s home. This can affect how much time a parent can spend with their child and how difficult it might be to travel for visitation.
Grand-Parenting Time
Michigan is seeing an increase in the importance of grandparenting time. Legal rights are being given to grandparents to spend time with their grandchildren, even if the parents are no longer together. In certain circumstances, grandparents in Michigan can petition the court for "grandparenting time" or visitation rights.
These circumstances include when both parents are deceased, when a parent's parental rights have been terminated, or when the grandparent believes visitation is in the child's best interests. If the parents disagree on visitation, the court will make the final decision.
Modifying or Enforcing Parenting Time in Michigan
Parents in Michigan have the right to make decisions about their children's parental rights. However, if those rights to parenting time are denied, an experienced family law attorney can assist. They can help seek a parenting time modification to better suit a family's needs. This may include changing visit frequency, adding or removing restrictions, or changing the visit location.
If one parent is not abiding by the existing parenting time agreement, a Michigan Parenting Time Lawyer can also help enforce the custody agreement order. This may involve filing paperwork with the court or seeking remedies such as contempt of custodial arrangement charges and financial sanctions.
When a Parenting Time Agreement is Not Obeyed
Parenting time violations are difficult for both parents and their children. A parenting time agreement is a legal document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each parent. It specifies when each parent has custody and visitation rights, as well as who makes decisions about the child's upbringing.
If a parent doesn't follow the child custody agreement, legal action may be necessary to enforce it. A Michigan child custody lawyer can help parents through this process and ensure their rights are protected. They can also help find child custody solutions to an existing agreement if needed.
Get in Touch With a Parenting Plan Attorney Today!
If you're a parent in Michigan who has concerns with child custody and needs help with parenting time rights and responsibilities, the Clarity Family Law office can assist you.
We are a skilled law firm that can navigate the process of determining parenting time arrangements. Our attorneys are understanding and compassionate, recognizing the significance of maintaining meaningful relationships between parents and their children. We prioritize protecting the rights of both parties involved. Parenting time issues can be sensitive and complicated, depending on the type of child custody arrangement but our team is here to guide you through every step.
Get in touch with us today for an initial consultation to find out more about how we can support you with your child parenting time.