michigan Child Custody Lawyer

Divorce can be complicated — especially when children are involved.

In theory, everyone should want what is in the best interests of their child or children. However, in practice, custody disputes can quickly become emotionally-charged, messy affairs.

In today’s society, many families have both parents working. Even so, fathers often worry that the mother will be given full custody of the children.

At the Bloomfield Family Law Firm, we fight to make sure our clients have the custody situation that works best for them and their families. Connect with one of our child custody lawyers for assistance with advocating for your children’s best interests in and out of court.

There are a few different types of custody situations that must be decided by local courts.

These include:

  • Legal Custody: The parent or parents with legal custody decide important decisions about the child, including how and where he or she will be raised, attend school, medical decisions, etc.

  • Physical Custody: Physical custody concerns where the child will live and with whom.

  • Joint Custody: In some situations, both parents share legal and/or physical custody of the child. Local courts often favor this arrangement because it promotes meaningful relationships between the child and both their parents.

  • Sole Custody: In other situations, only one parent is designated as the child’s primary legal and/or physical custodian. The other parent, in all likelihood, will have some type of a parenting time agreement.

There is a common misconception that mothers are typically granted custody over fathers. However, if the best interest of the child means the father should have sole custody, the Bloomfield Family Law Firm is prepared for that fight, and there is no reason to believe it is not possible.

How is Custody Determined in Oakland and macomb County?

To determine custody in our area, a local judge will need to know whether a child has an established custodial environment with either or both parents.

This includes who the child typically turns to for the following:

  • Love and affection

  • Housing

  • Food

  • Other needs (i.e., school supplies and transportation)

The judge will also take into account a variety of other factors, including:
  • The age of the child
  • Distance between the parents’ living situations
  • Family history of violence or abuse
  • Other special circumstances of the family
In order to achieve the custodial status our clients hope for, we are ready to prove to the judge the ability of our clients to provide a prepared, viable home for their child.

Other Common Custody Situations in Our Area

If you are not granted sole or joint custody of your child, you can seek to create a parenting time agreement.

Parenting time, formerly known as visitation, typically depends on the county in which you, your child, and your child’s other parent are located in Michigan. It is advisable to consult with a local lawyer if you’re not sure what county your parenting time rights will apply to.

If you will be required to pay child support, you can follow this Michigan Child Support Formula to calculate what you may be asked to pay. It’s important to discuss your findings with an attorney — particularly if what you calculate seems unjust.

In some cases, the court may change its ruling regarding custody of your child or children. For example, a judge may reassess the ruling if any of the following occur:

  • Change in income (positive or negative)

  • A move or relocation

  • Change in the needs of the child

  • Illness (of parent or child)

  • Domestic abuse

If any of these situations occur and you want to seek to have the custody ruling changed, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.