By Charles M. Kronzek Michigan custody disputes often become emotionally charged when one parent turns a child against the other parent. Sometimes that conduct is intentional, and sometimes it’s inadvertent. Either way, it’s bad for children. While “Malicious Parent Syndrome” (MPS) is not a recognized mental health diagnosis or legal term under Michigan law, it…
If you are an Oakland County parent struggling with a child who repeatedly defies your authority, Michigan law provides a legal avenue through the Sixth Circuit Court Family Division: the incorrigibility petition. This guide explains exactly what that means, what Oakland County requires, and what to expect every step of the way. What Is an…
Parents around Oakland County, Michigan, including Troy, Clarkston, Farmington Hills, and Bloomfield Township, know that child-related expenses do not end when the child turns 18. Separated parents, as well as parents who are in the process of a divorce, may wonder if their divorce, custody, and child support order should have terms outlining how college…
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…
Establishing paternity is one of the most important legal steps for unmarried parents in Michigan. Whether you are a mother seeking child support or a father trying to establish custody or parenting time, understanding your rights under Michigan paternity law is crucial. In Oakland County, home to cities like Troy, Royal Oak, Farmington Hills, Farmington,…
In Oakland County, Michigan, the division of marital property can be one of the more difficult parts of the divorce process, especially when it comes to selling the house. If you’re going through a divorce and need to sell your Oakland County home in communities like Troy, Farmington Hills, Novi, Bloomfield Hills, and Waterford, or…
Should You Use AI to Help With Your Divorce in Oakland County, Michigan? Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview, Gemini and various document assistants are rapidly changing how people navigate the world. This includes how we research legal information. In cities across Oakland County, such as Farmington, Troy, Auburn Hills, Birmingham, and…
In Part 1 of this series, we explained the first six best interests of the child factors under Michigan law (MCL 722.23). Now, we’ll cover the remaining six factors that Oakland County courts use to decide custody and parenting time. If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, click here to review the first six factors.…
When parents in Oakland County go through a custody dispute, they will frequently hear about what is in the “best interests of the child.” This is the guiding principle that all of our Michigan judges must follow in cases involving children. It’s the law, so it’s the judge, Friend of the Court offices, and family…
For many grandparents in Oakland County, the relationship with their grandchildren is one of the most cherished in life. But when parents divorce, separate, pass away, or become estranged, grandparents in cities like Troy, Southfield, Bloomfield, Novi, Oak Park Huntington Woods, and Farmington Hills may be cut off from those grandparent relationships. Some of the…
