Determining Parenting Time in Michigan Divorce Proceedings

 Posted on November 09, 2018 in Family Law

Divorcing with children brings about many different types of issues that couples divorcing without children do not have to deal with. One of the things that must be determined when you are getting divorced is how you will parent your child where your child will be spending their time. Typically, Michigan courts prefer the parents to try to make their own determinations about child custody and parenting time before they turn to the court to make these decisions for them. There is a better chance that orders will be followed when parents are involved in making these decisions. When a court is called in to help determine parenting time, many different factors must be considered before a final order is issued.

Michigan Courts and Making Decisions About Parenting Time

Like many states in the U.S., Michigan makes determinations about parenting time based on the best interests of the child. It is assumed that it is in the best interest of every child to have a secure relationship with both parents. Michigan courts also believe that every child has a right to spend time with each parent unless the court finds that it would severely harm the child’s mental, physical or emotional health. The court will examine a variety of factors when making decisions about parenting time, including:

• Whether or not the child has any special needs;
• Whether the child is a nursing child and receives substantial nutrition through nursing;
• Whether or not there is any likelihood of any abuse or neglect of the child or parent during parenting time;
• The distance between where each parent lives and the burden the travel would have on the child;
• The likeliness of each parent to follow the parenting time order; and
• Any other factor that the court deems to be relevant.

Get in Touch with an Oakland County Child Custody Lawyer

Each child has an inherent right to have a loving and meaningful relationship with both of their parents and both parents have the right to spend time with their child. It can be difficult and sometimes stressful to come to an agreement about parenting time with your ex, but it is important that you are able to create a parenting time agreement that allows both you and your ex to spend time with your child. If you are going through a divorce, you should contact a Novi, MI child custody attorney. Elkouri Heath, PLC can help you create an agreement that benefits not only your child, but also you and your child’s other parent. Call the office today at 248-344-9700 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(mbk4uj2r2cf1kfpkfcrelory))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-722-27a&highlight=child%20AND%20custody