Michigan Child Custody - Child Visitation Rights
Whether the parents are married or apart, a child needs a loving and supporting relationship with both of them in order to enjoy a healthy childhood. For that reason, the family lawyers at The Stroble Law Firm P.C. believe parenting time, or visitation, can be critical in any separation, divorce or paternity case.
There are two types of child custody in the state of Michigan: Legal custody, which gives the parent the authority to make decisions regarding the child’s health, welfare and education; and physical custody, which is where the child lives.
A parent can have either sole custody or some form of joint legal or joint physical custody. The parent who does not have primary physical custody should generally receive parenting time unless that would be harmful to the child’s physical, mental or emotional health.
In many cases, the parenting time schedule can be agreed upon by the parents outside of court. Under Michigan law, a mediator must be provided at the parents’ request to help them reach a voluntary resolution of their custody dispute. However, the use of a mediator is not required.
If the parents cannot agree on parenting time schedule, they must bring their dispute before a judge or referee and obtain a court order specifying a parenting time schedule for the non-custodial parent. This schedule will specify the number, length and type of visit the parent will be entitled to receive during a given period.
If a party objects to a referee’s decision, then a new hearing before a judge can be held. And if the party disagrees with the judge’s order, then the matter can be appealed to a higher court.
Sometimes a parent may need to return to court to seek an enforcement of a court order or to ask the court for a modification of a parenting time schedule due to a change in circumstances.
At The Stroble Law Firm P.C., our family lawyers can assist clients in seeking parenting time by working through negotiations with the other parent and by compiling and presenting the information that a referee or judge will need to know in order to determine a reasonable parenting time schedule.
Based in Bloomfield Hills, The Stroble Law Firm represents clients across Michigan, including Macomb County, Oakland County, Warren, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Mount Clemens, Utica, Roseville, Troy, Farmington Hills, Waterford, Southfield, Pontiac, Birmingham Michigan, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills. Call The Stroble Law Firm at (888) 454-0801, or contact us online for an evaluation of your claim.
If you wish to discuss your parenting time case with us, please contact the parenting time attorneys of The Stroble Law Firm P.C. at (888) 454-0801, or contact us online.
