It is a big deal to make good plans for kids. A court can make a plan for who a child lives with. This plan is a court paper. You may ask, “Can this plan be changed?” Many parents ask this. We want to help you see if old plans for a child’s care can be looked at again. This is for people in Michigan. You can see a video about old cases for kids’ plans to learn more.
What is a “Closed Plan for My Child”?
What “Closed Plan” Means: A “closed plan” for your child means a court made a choice some time past. This choice was about who your child lives with. It was also about when each parent sees the child. Maybe you asked to change this plan. Then, something made you stop. You might not have had enough money. Or the reason to change went away. The first try to change the plan stopped.
Why Plans Get “Closed”: Sometimes you think things will go one way, but they do not. Maybe you thought your child wanted to live with you more. Then you learned that was not so. Or something else made you stop. For some cause, you stopped asking the court to change the child’s living plan. So, the court closed your try to change the plan. The old plan for who the child lives with stays as is, for now.
Things to Know About “Closed Plans”:
– Court’s Last Choice: A closed plan means the court’s last choice for the child’s care is what people still do.
– You Stopped Asking: It often means a parent stopped asking the court for a new plan for their child.
– Old Plan is Still Used: The last court paper about who the child lives with is still the rule to follow.
More Facts on “Closed Plans”:
–Many Whys: People stop trying to change plans for lots of whys, like no money or family news.
– Not Always the End: “Closed” does not mean it can never, ever be looked at again by the court, as you will see.
– Lawyers Can Help: If you have a closed plan and think it needs to change, good lawyers at Goldman and Associates can give help.
A Story from Real Life: Sue wanted to change who her son, Tim, lived with most. She asked the court for a new plan. But then, she lost her job all of a sudden. She could not pay the lawyer to keep going. So, she had to stop asking. The court then closed her case. The old plan for Tim stayed the same then.
Can I Ask to Change a Child’s Plan That Was Already Made?
Yes, You Often Can Ask: The short answer is yes, many times you can. You can ask the court to change a plan for your child. This is true even if a judge already made the plan. Even if you closed your first try to change it, things can often be looked at again. The court can look at these big family things many times if it needs to. This is true until your child grows up, which is often 18 years old in Michigan.
The Court’s Long Power: The court has power. This power is to keep looking at and changing plans for kids’ care. This power does not just end after one choice. So, if big things have changed in your life or your child’s life, you may be able to ask the court for a new plan. It might help you to learn about ways to change a child’s living paper from good videos.
When to Think About Asking for a New Plan:
– Big Life News: If something really big has changed for you, the other parent, or your child.
– Child is Older: As kids get older, what they need and want can change a lot. Their school life can change too.
– Old Plan Does Not Work Well: If the plan used now is no longer good for the child’s life or how they feel.
What the Court Will Think About:
– What is Best for Child: The court always wants to do what is best for the child to be happy and well.
– New Facts Given: The court will look very hard at any new facts or proof you give to show things are not the same.
– Listens to Parents: The court most times tries to hear what both parents say, if it is safe and they can.
A Story from Real Life: Joe had a living plan for his girl, Liz. It was made when she was six. Two years later, Joe moved very near to her school. This made going to school each day much easier. His job hours also changed. He had more time at night. He thought a new plan would be better for Liz. He was able to ask the court to look at the plan again due to these big changes.
How Long Can the Court Change a Child’s Living Plan?
Till Your Child is Grown: The court can change a child’s living plan for many years. It most times has the power to do this until the child is a grown-up by law. In Michigan, this often means until the child is 18 years old. So, if your child is still young, or even a teen, the court can still change their living plan if there is a good cause.
Court Keeps Its Power: This long power of the court is what lawyers may call “continuing power to act.” It means the court can watch over what the child needs as years pass. If new big things come up, the court can act. It can make sure the plan is still good for the child as they grow. The kind people at ChooseGoldman.com can tell you more about this big idea.
Times a Court Can Act to Change a Plan:
– Any Time Before Age 18: The court can make changes most any time before the child is a grown-up by law.
– When New Needs Come Up: If the child has new health needs. Or if they have school troubles or other big new needs.
– If a Parent’s Life Changes Big: Like if a parent moves very far. Or gets a new job with very different hours that change child care.
Why This Long Power is a Big Deal:
– Keeps Kids Safe, Sound, and Well: It helps make sure kids are always in the best place to live as they grow.
– Life Does Not Stay Still: It knows that family life changes; it does not stay the same for all time.
– Lets Parents Ask for Fixes: It lets parents ask for big fixes if an old plan is truly not good for the child any more.
A Story from Real Life: Mary’s son, Alex, was 10. That was when his first living plan was made by a court. When he turned 15, he felt very sure he wanted to live more with his dad. His dad also had just moved to a new house. It had more room for Alex. Mary and her old husband agreed to ask the court to change the plan. Alex was older and said what he wanted. The court was able to make this change.
What is the Main Reason a Court Will Look at a Child’s Plan Again?
A Big New Thing Must Happen: The main and biggest reason a court in Michigan will say yes to look at a child’s living plan again is if a “big new thing has happened.” This means something very large and new has changed in the child’s life or the parents’ lives. It cannot be just a little thing. It cannot be just a small fight. This big new thing must change how the child is cared for. Or it must change how well parents can care for the child with the old plan.
Why This Big New Thing is Key for the Court: Courts do not like to change kids’ living plans all the time. Changing plans too much can be hard for kids. Kids need things to stay mostly the same day to day. So, judges need a very good and strong reason to make a change. A big new thing in life shows that the old plan may not be the best or safest one now. The court wants to be very sure that any new plan will be better for the child after this big new thing has come about. You can find good facts about how to change a child’s living plan in Michigan on our web page.
What Can Be a “Big New Thing”?
– Parent Moves Very Far: If one parent moves a very long way off. This makes the old plan for seeing the child very hard or not able to be done.
– Child May Not Be Safe: If the child is not safe in their body or feelings with one parent now, due to new things.
– Parent Cannot Give Good Care: If a parent gets very sick. Or if they have a new big problem that means they truly cannot care for the child well.
What is Often NOT a “Big New Thing”?
– Small Parent Fights: Parents not agreeing on little things like what time to go to bed is often not enough for the court.
– Child Wants a Small Change in Time: A child saying they want a small change in the week’s plan may not be seen as a big new thing.
– Parent Gets New Free Time Fun (Small): Small life changes for parents that do not really change the child’s care or how they are doing in a big way.
A Story from Real Life: Dan’s old wife, Laura, was the one who cared most for their young son, Mike. One day, Laura told Dan she was going to take a new job. The job was in a land far, far away, many miles off. This was a very big new thing for Mike. It meant their old plan for Mike living with Laura and seeing Dan could not work. Dan asked the court to make a new plan. The court said yes, it was a big enough new thing to look at it well.
What Makes the Court Think Again About a Plan?
Making the Court Think Hard: A “big new thing” is something so new and big it makes the court stop. It makes the court think very hard. The judge will ask, “”Does the old plan for this child still work well now?”” The court wants to see if the big facts from when the first plan was made are still the same today. Or, it will check if things have changed so very much that a new look at the plan is really needed to help the child.
Old Facts and New Facts Now: The court will often look at how the family was when the first plan was made. Then it will look at how the family is now. If the main facts are very, very different, the court might say yes, it is a big new thing. Say a parent was well and could care for the child before. But now that parent is very sick. They are in the hospital a lot. That is likely a big new thing. Knowing how and when you can legally ask to change a child’s plan is very good to know for parents.
More Ideas of What Might Be Big New Things:
– Parent’s New Bad Life Problem: A parent starts having very bad problems with drugs. Or they drink too much. This hurts the child.
– Child’s Big School Problems Start Now: A child who did well in school all of a sudden starts doing very bad. And it looks like it is from the living plan or home life.
– Child’s Home is Not Safe Now: The child’s home with one parent is not safe now. This could be from not caring for the child. Or from too much fighting, or other bad things.
Things the Court Thinks On for a “Big New Thing”:
– How Big is This New Thing?: Is it a little change in day to day life? Or is it a really large and big new thing for the family?
– Does it Change Things for the Child?: The new thing must change the child’s day to day life, school, health, safety, or how happy they are, in a clear way.
– Will the New Thing Last Long?: A problem that is very short may not be enough. But it might be if it is very, very bad for the child even for a short time.
A Story from Real Life: Ann and Ben first made a living plan for their girl, Lily. Ben worked at home most days then. This let him care for Lily after school. Later, Ben’s job changed. He had to go far away all week, each week. Lily got very sad. She missed Ben lots. Her grades in school went down. Ann felt this was a very big new thing in their lives. The court agreed to look at the plan. Ben could not care for Lily in the school week like he did before. That had changed so much.
What if I Worry My Child is Not Safe?
Child Safety is First for Courts: If you truly worry that your child is not safe with the other parent, this is a very big reason to ask for a change. The court will look very, very close at any worries about safety. A new and real safety worry can for sure be a “”big new thing.”” This could make the court want to look at the child’s living plan right now to keep the child safe.
Tell the Court Your Safety Worries: If a new safety worry comes up, you should tell the court as fast as you can. This may be if one parent is not keeping the child safe. Or maybe some new person in their home is a danger. The court needs to know these things. It helps the court keep the child from harm. You should try to give clear facts about why you worry.
Kinds of Safety Worries:
– Child Not Watched Well: The child is left all alone when they are too young. Or they are not watched well by the grown-up.
– Child is Hurt: The child is being hurt in their body. Or their feelings are hurt bad by some one in the home.
– Home is Not Safe: The child’s living place with one parent has things that are not safe, like bad things left out.
What the Court Might Do for Safety Worries:
– Act Fast for Child: If the worry is very bad, the court can act very fast to keep the child safe.
– Ask for Proof of Worry: The court will want to see or hear proof of the safety worry if you have it.
– Change Plan Fast for a Bit: The court might change the child’s living plan fast, even for a short time. It does this while it looks into the worry more.
A Story from Real Life: Mark learned that his old wife’s new man had a bad temper. He had scared their child, Emily, many times. Emily told Mark she was scared to be at her mom’s house. Mark was very full of worry for Emily’s safety. He fast told the court about this new, bad spot Emily was in. The court heard him. It took steps to make sure Emily was safe.
What if My Child’s Health is a New Worry?
Child’s Health is a Big Point: A new and bad health worry for your child can also be a “”big new thing.”” This might be a reason for the court to look at the child’s living plan again. The plan needs to make sure the child gets the best care for their health. If the old plan does not work with the new health worry, it may need to change.
How Health Worries Change Plans: A new health woe might mean lots of trips to the doctor. It might mean one parent is better able to give special care. Or, the child might need to live in a place that is better for their health. These are things the court will think on. How well the child is, plus their health, is a top thought for the court. This is true when it thinks about the best way for the child in Michigan.
Health Upsets to Think On:
– New Bad Sickness: The child gets a new sickness that needs lots of care. Or it changes their day to day life a lot.
– Special Needs Come Up: The child is found to have new special needs to learn or new body needs. These may need a new plan for their day.
–Mind Health Needs: The child has a new mind health woe that needs special help. Or they may need a very calm home.
What a Parent Should Show the Court:
– Doctor’s Words: Share papers or notes from doctors. These should tell about the health woe and what the child needs.
– Care Plan Now: Tell how the child’s care needs have changed. And tell who can best give that care now.
– How it Changes Child’s Life: Show how the health woe changes the child’s day to day life. And show why the old plan is not good now.
A Story from Real Life: After their living plan was made, young Leo was found to have bad asthma. He had to live in a very clean house with no pets. His mom’s house was better for this. His dad’s house had two dogs and was old. Leo’s mom asked the court to change the plan. She wanted Leo to live with her more to help him breathe. She showed the court notes from Leo’s doctor about his bad asthma.
What Do I Need to Show the Court to Change the Plan?
You Need to Show Good Proof: If you want to change a child’s living plan, you need to show the court good whys. You cannot just say you want a change. You must give the court proof that there has been a “”big new thing”” since the last plan was made. This proof needs to be clear. It must show why the old plan is not working well now.
What Kind of Proof Can Help: Proof can be many things. It can be papers like school notes or notes from doctors. It can be photos or texts if they show something big. Some times, people who know what is up, like teachers or doctors, might need to tell the court what they know. You also need to tell how the big new thing truly changes the child’s life for the worse, or makes the old plan bad.
Key Things Your Proof Should Show Well:
– A Big New Thing Did Happen: Clearly show what the big new thing was (like a move, a new health woe, or a safety worry).
– When the New Thing Happened: Show the time line – that this new thing happened *after* the last court plan was made.
– How it Makes Things Bad for Child: Most of all, tell how this big new thing is bad for the child. Or tell how it makes the old plan not good for them now.
Other Proofs to Think About Using:
– School Papers: If a child’s grades all of a sudden drop. Or if they miss lots of school days.
– Health Papers: To show a new health woe or if a child got hurt, with the right okay to share.
– People Who Know (Witnesses): People who saw the new things. Or people who saw how the child is now. But this needs good thought with a lawyer.
A Story from Real Life: Mary wanted to change the living plan for her son, Ben. Ben’s dad had started to work at night. He was leaving Ben all alone. Ben was only ten. Mary got a paper that showed the dad’s new work hours. She also had texts where the dad said Ben was alone. She showed these to the court. It was proof of a big, new thing that was not safe. This helped the court see why a new plan was needed for Ben.
How Does Changing the Plan Change My Time with My Child?
It Will Likely Change Parent Time: If a court says yes to change a child’s main living plan, it will most times change the time each parent has with the child. The plan for who the child is with on different days will likely be new. This is a big part of why these changes are a very big deal for all in the family.
The Goal is What’s Best for the Child: When the court makes a new time plan, it tries to do what is best for the child. This might mean one parent gets more time. Or the times might be shared in a new way. The court looks at the “”big new thing.”” Then it says how the time plan should be now to fit the child’s new needs and new life spot. It is good to be ready for these new ways your time with your child might be set up.
Ways Your Time Might Change:
– More Time for One Parent Now: One parent might end up with the child living with them more days. This is if it is better for the child now.
– New Week Day Plan: The days or hours the child is with each parent in the week could change.
– Holiday or Break Changes: The plan for big holidays, days off school, and summer time off might also need to be new.
How to Get Ready for Time Changes:
– Be Okay with New Ideas: Know that the old time plan may not work if a big new thing has come up.
– Think of the Child First: Think about what time plan is truly best for your child now. Not just what you want most. –
Talk with a Lawyer Person: A lawyer can help you see how the time might change. They can also help you ask for what is fair and good.
A Story from Real Life: Lisa’s mom got a new job. This job made her work on weekend days. Their old plan for Lisa to stay with her mom on weekends did not work now. Lisa’s dad asked for a change. The court changed the plan. Lisa started to be with her dad on weekends. She was with her mom some nights in the week. This changed a lot the time Lisa was with each parent. But it fit the new work times much better.
Does the Court Know That Things in Life Change?
Yes, Courts Do Know This: Courts and judges often do know that life does not stay the same all the time. They know that new things happen. Families change. People move. Jobs change. And kids grow and have new needs. This is a normal part of how life is. So, the court way is set up to let people ask for changes to old plans when they are really needed.
Why Knowing Change is Key: Life changes. So, a plan that was good for a child two years back might not be good now. The court knows that some times these changes are very big. They can change a child’s life a lot. When this is so, the court is open to look at things again. The main aim is always to make sure the child’s living plan is what is best for them right now, today. Mr. Goldman often talks about this in his talks like the one on looking at old cases again.
How Courts Show They Know Change Happens:
– They Let People Ask Again: They let parents bring new asks to change old plans if there is a good cause.
– They Look at New Proof: They will look at new facts that show how things are not the same now.
– They Think of Child’s Needs Now: Their choices are made on what the child needs today. Not just what they needed in the past.
What This Means for All Parents:
– Do Not Fear to Ask Help: If there has been a real, big new thing, do not fear to ask the court for help to make a plan new.
– Be Set to Tell Your Story: You will need to tell the court well what has changed. And tell why a new plan is needed now for the child.
– Wait Time May Be Needed: Even though courts know life changes, the way to change a plan can still take some time to finish.
A Story from Real Life: When baby Tim was small, his parents made a plan. He lived most times with his mom. She was home all day then. Five years passed. Tim was now set to start school. His mom also began a new job that took all day. His dad now worked at his house. The family’s life was very new now. The court knew these big life changes were real. It said yes to look at making a new plan. This new plan would fit their new lives and Tim’s school days.
One More Good Thought: When you want to ask to change a plan for your child, always think of your child first. Think how the change will make their life better or more safe. The court will want to see you are thinking of your child more than all else. This is a very big deal to judges.
Another Good Thought: Talking with a lawyer who knows lots about family law in Michigan can be a very big help. They can tell you if your cause for wanting a change is strong. They can also help you get all your proof ready for the court. This can make all things easier for you and your family. It is a hard time, and help is good.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What does “reopen a closed case for a child’s plan” mean for me?
It means you ask the court to look once more at a plan for who a child lives with. This can be done even if a past try to change it was stopped or “closed.” This can be if new, big things have changed now.
2. Can I always ask to reopen a closed plan for my child?
You can often ask. But the court will only say yes if there has been a big new thing in life for the child or parents. This is true until the child is a grown-up.
3. How old must my child be for the court to stop making changes to the plan?
In Michigan, the court most times has power to make changes until the child turns 18. After 18, the child is seen as a grown-up by the law.
4. What is the top reason a court will change a child’s plan?
The top reason is a “big new thing has happened.” This means a very key new thing has come about since the last plan was made by the court.
5. Is it hard to show a “big new thing” to the court?
Yes, it can be. You need to give good proof to the court that the new thing is real, is big, and changes things for the child in a bad way if the plan stays old.
6. What if I worry my child is not safe with the other parent now?
If you have a new, real worry that your child is not safe, tell the court right now. This is a very big reason to ask for a change to keep your child safe.
7. Can a new health woe for my child be a reason to change the living plan?
Yes, a new, bad health woe for your child can be a “big new thing.” The court will want to be sure the child gets the right care they need now.
8. What kind of proof does the court want to see from me?
The court wants clear proof. This can be papers from doctors or schools. Or it can be what people who know the facts say. This proof must show the big new thing and how it changes life for the child.
9. If the living plan changes, will my time with my child change too?
Yes, it is very likely. If the main living plan changes, the plan of when each parent sees the child will most times change too.
10. Do I need a lawyer to ask to change a child’s plan in court?
You do not always have to have a lawyer by law. But it is a very, very good idea. A lawyer can help you a whole lot with the court rules and telling your story well.
11. How much money does it take to try and change a child’s plan?
How much it costs can change a real lot. It rests on how hard the case is. It also rests on if the other parent agrees or fights hard against the change you want.
12. What if the other parent does not want to change the child’s plan? A: If the other parent does not agree with the change, you will both have to tell your side to the judge. The judge will then choose what is best for the child after hearing all you both say.
We Are Here to Give You Help: Thinking about changing a plan for your child can feel very hard. There are many rules to know well. The lawyers at Goldman and Associates can give you help. We know all about Michigan family law. We can help you see if you can reopen your case. We can help you show the court what has changed for your child in a clear way.
Call Us or Visit Us Today: If you have more questions or need help with a plan for your child, please call us or come see us.
You can call or text us at (248) 590-6600.
You can also go to our web page at ChooseGoldman.com to learn much more.
To set up a free first talk about your needs, please go to our call us page.