No, you don’t get full custody just because your ex gets married again. In Michigan, the court looks at what’s best for your child, not the parents. The court understands that people move on. They start a new life. They remarry. Life goes on. You will have to embrace that reality. A new marriage doesn’t change who has custody. The court will only change it if something happens that isn’t good for your child. Click here to watch the video … Read More →

Parents often wonder if children can know what happiness means. Can they discern what’s good for them? The law dwells on facts. The letter and intent of the law may not support feelings. In Michigan, a child can say who they want to live within a custody case. That doesn’t mean they get to decide. The judge looks at many things before making a choice. There are a dozen important things the court thinks about.  In the end, the judge … Read More →

Pursuing custody in Michigan is not without its challenges. You can expect a lot of disagreement from your spouse. A lot of things will be said. Not all of it will be pleasant. Some will hurt more deeply than others. Nothing will be more hurtful than being told you are unfit to be a parent. You feel you need to respond. And, you should. You will. Keep calm, there’s a way to do this. Courts won’t take your children on … Read More →

Court cases take time. There are many steps. Things do not always move fast. Judges read papers. They listen to both sides. They make fair choices. Lawyers may need extra time. They look for proof. They talk to their clients. The other side might be slow to respond. This can delay things. Waiting can feel frustrating. It may affect your children or money. It can make you feel stuck. Feeling stressed is normal. Knowing what to expect can help. Click … Read More →

Family law cases focus on family relationships. They cover divorce, alimony, and splitting property. Some cases involve children. Custody and child support are up for discussion. Some involve domestic violence or emancipation. Each type of case follows a different process, which affects how courts schedule them. The Michigan judicial system is still an evolving system. There’s a lot of room for improving the court system. The sheer volume of cases makes it prudent to manage the court calendars. Fairness is … Read More →

Vital statistics from Michigan show that in 2022, there were fifteen thousand divorces involving children. A significant number of that data involves joint custody arrangements. The data suggest that a lot of custody cases are settled as joint custody. Michigan Department of Health & Human Services or MDHHS will tell you that joint custody is becoming relatively common. On rough terms, we’re talking about partial custody. In this custody arrangement, you cannot make big decisions alone. Now this can become … Read More →

Mental health is a prevalent health problem in Michigan. About 1.3 million Michigan residents have a mental condition. About 22% of adults in Michigan experience some form of mental illness. These are serious health statistics that can affect families.  Statistics include 16.72% having a substance use disorder.  4.84% are contemplating suicide. This is a concern for courts when mental issues are present in a custody case. A parent might be part of this statistic. It can become a factor in … Read More →

We want our life to be stable. Some want it predictable. Most do a lot of praying to keep what they have. Others sign a prenuptial agreement. We call it prenup. Sometimes, they are not fair. If one spouse gets too little or nothing, the court may reject it. People may feel forced to sign without understanding the terms. A prenup can cause problems later if not done properly. If a prenup isn’t clear or is unfair, it could affect … Read More →

Leaving a home is not an easy thing for anyone. Having children and leaving them is even harder. Parents leave for many reasons. Some for money, others for safety. A co-parent shows up at your doorstep after years of absence. Now, your co-parent wants to be back in your life. Wants custody of the children. Custody is not an easy pursuit. Your children might have gotten used to a routine. The court may not be inclined to change it. You … Read More →

Military service. A career of honor and sacrifice. Part of the sacrifice is being apart from family. Frequent and long deployment takes a toll on military parents and their families. Separation during an ongoing custody case brings uncertainty. Balancing responsibilities while one parent is away is almost unfair.  Military service has its benefits. It has its rewards. Military families can receive housing. They have access to healthcare benefits. It’s all great except for the time you get deployed. Click here … Read More →