Divorce and custody disputes are difficult for parents. In Michigan, parents often feel pressure to prove their commitment to their children. Michigan law is clear: custody decisions must be based on the “best interests of the child”. That means judges in Oakland County look at your consistent actions as a parent, not stereotypes or assumptions.…
Divorce and custody disputes are difficult for parents. In Michigan, parents often feel pressure to prove their commitment to their children. Michigan law is clear: custody decisions must be based on the “best interests of the child”. That means judges in Oakland County look at your consistent actions as a parent, not stereotypes or assumptions.…
In and around Oakland County, Michigan, divorce cases follow specific procedural rules under Michigan law. These are mainly contained in the Michigan Court Rules, which can be found here: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/rules-administrative-orders-and-jury-instructions/current-rules-and-jury-instructions/michigan-court-rules/ While divorces usually involve both spouses, some cases involve one spouse refusing to respond or being unable to be found. In these situations, the case…
Deciding to pursue a divorce is a significant decision. Once that decision has been made, thoughtful preparation can help you approach the process with greater organization and clarity. Taking time to gather information, secure important accounts, and understand your financial circumstances can put you in a better position as your case moves forward. Eight Important…
Parenting time, sometimes referred to as visitation, is the schedule that sets the amount of time a child spends with each parent. Understanding how Michigan family courts make decisions about parenting time can help parents prepare for the custody process and protect their relationship with their child. In this blog, we will provide a brief…
When parents in Oakland County divorce or separate, child support orders are designed to ensure that children’s needs are met. While basic child support covers day-to-day living costs, Michigan law also allows support orders to include child care and educational expenses. These additional provisions can be critical for working parents and for ensuring children have…
Michigan law presumes that it is in a child’s best interests to have a strong relationship with both parents. Courts may order supervised parenting time if there is clear and convincing evidence that the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health will be at risk if the parenting time is unsupervised. When Supervised Parenting Time May…
When one parent violates the court-ordered parenting time schedule, it can cause harm to the child and the other parent. Whether you live in Troy, Royal Oak, Farmington Hills, or elsewhere in Oakland County, understanding your rights is essential. Michigan law provides a few tools to enforce parenting time and hold the violating parent accountable. …
By Attorney Brandy Thompson Raising a child with special needs often involves additional planning, structure, and collaboration. When parents separate or divorce in and around Oakland County, Michigan, custody cases involving children with special needs can be complex. Decisions about medical care, therapies, schooling, and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) require careful attention. In Oakland County,…
When Michigan parents live far apart, either within the state of Michigan or in different states, parenting time exchanges can become complicated. The courts must balance the child’s best interests, travel burdens, and parental responsibilities. Understanding Long-Distance Parenting Time Under Michigan Law Parenting time must be granted in a manner that promotes a strong parent-child…
