The best way to create a strong relationship with someone you care about is to spend time with them. There is no such thing as “too much time” for a father when it comes to spending time with his child. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of getting divorced is not having contact with your child for a significant portion of his or her life.
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Learn more about how Michigan courts decide parenting time.
Any sensible father who has to cope with court-mandated parenting time desires more time with their children. If you are the non-custodial parent, you must obtain your ex’s permission for any extended visitation request you want. The only other thing you can do is petition the court to give you more parenting time.
Petitioning to Get More Parenting Time
By demonstrating your willingness and ability to adhere strictly to the court’s current orders, you stand the best chance of winning a petition for more parenting time. Always make sure to be on time or slightly early for every scheduled visitation. If you can’t make it on time, contact your ex and inform them politely of why you will be late and how late you will be.
The next step is to retain copies of every conversation you have with your former spouse, including voice recordings, notes, and everything else you can think of. Any time you decide to create a petition in favor of more parenting time, you run the risk of having an entire Ford F-150 hurled back at you because no custodial parent wishes to give a father more time with their children. You’ll need documentation that you were polite, obeyed the rules, and that your former spouse was the one who caused problems.
Understand the Legal Grounds for Parenting Time
If a court-ordered parenting time arrangement is contested by either parent, most appeals are ruled out because they lack a legitimate basis for requesting a change. In general, the law requires that you demonstrate:
- That you, your former wife, or your child’s life has changed significantly, and
- That this change in circumstances has had an effect on your child makes it best for the child for you to have more parenting time.
The first point in the bullet is significant because it implies that you cannot justify a change in parenting time simply because you have discovered a new way in which your ex is a complete loser. There must be a significant change in your situation to justify the petition.
Seek the Services of an Experienced Michigan Family Law Attorney
There is a solid reason why lawyers exist. The law can be difficult to understand, courtrooms can be daunting, and a single misstep can have a profound impact on your life’s direction. If you want more parenting time with your child but are limited to what the court permits, contact and schedule an appointment with Goldman & Associates today.