Child Custody / Child Support Issues in Detroit

Thank you for visiting My Detroit Family Law Attorney. Our attorneys are advocates for the rights of children so they can have a safe and secure future. You can visit our “Why hire us” page to see what separates us from the other Family Law attorneys in and around Detroit.

At the Family Law Offices of “insert attorney name” in Detroit we will guide you through the legal process, keeping you informed all the way. We are experienced and very knowledgeable in Child Custody and Child Support issues. Your children are our #1 priority; we will fight to protect them.

Detroit Child Support and Child Custody Overview

During a divorce process child custody is considered the legal relationship between a parent and child regarding daily care and decision-making.
The best interests of your child are the #1 priority of the court.
Michigan law requires that both parents financially support their children.
Your child needs to feel the love and security from both parents.

Michigan’s Best interests of the Child Act

Michigan law uses certain guidelines in determining what is best for your child.
They include:
- The bond between the parent and child – emotions, love, affection
- The child’s present environment – is it stable?
- The morals, physical and mental health of each parent.
- Does each parent have the capability to give love and affection to the child?
- Can each parent raise the child properly?
- Can the parent provide proper shelter, clothing, food, medical care?
- If the child is old enough, who does he or she want to live with?
- Is there abuse in the history of either parent?
- Etc.

Child Custody in Detroit

Joint Legal Custody
- Both parents have the right to make major decisions involving their child:
  - Medical care
  - Education
  - Religion
  - General welfare issues
Physical Custody
- The parent where the child lives.
- The other parent will have visitation rights.

Sole Custody
- The child will live with one parent.
- The parent will be responsible for all major decisions.
- The parent will be responsible for daily care.

Parenting Time

Also known as Visitation.
Important because it will assure the parent continues to have a good relationship with his or her child.
A schedule details when the child will spend time with the non-custodial parent:
- During the week
- Weekends
- Birthdays
- Holidays
- Spring and Summer vacations

Detroit Child Support

The State of Michigan uses child support guidelines to determine the amount of the support.
Taken into consideration:
- Each parent’s income – includes tips, bonuses, etc.
- Time spent with child
- How many children involved
- Health insurance
- Day care
- Day-to-day expenses
If there are significant changes in your life (relocation, job loss, increase in wages, etc) a court order modification can be filed.
If you and the mother of the child were never married and you believe the child might not be yours:
- The court will order a paternity test to determine if you are the father of this child.
- Until the results come in, you will be known as a “putative father” – it will be assumed that you are the father of this child.

Modifications

If significant changes in your circumstances take place, the court can be petitioned to make modifications to the original arrangement:
- Change in employment – loss of job, increase in salary, decrease in salary
- Additional children to provide for – another marriage or relationship
- Abuse
- Relocation

Relocation

Michigan law requires a custodial parent to receive written permission from the court if they want to move out of the state or over 100 miles from their current residence.
The court will consider:
- Will the child benefit from this move – schools, finances?
- Will the non-custodial parent still have reasonable visitation?
- Is this move inconvenient for the non-custodial parent?
Summer vacations will be extended to replace current weekly visits.
Will the custodial parent help with travel costs for the non-custodial parent to visit?

Conclusion
If you and your ex-spouse are fighting about child custody or child support issues, fighting does not solve anything and can do more harm than good. We urge you to call us at the Family Law Offices of “insert attorney name” in Detroit immediately. We will take the time to listen and we will make sure you and your children’s rights are protected.