Grand Rapids Child Custody Attorney
Call (616) 202-3988 for a Free Consultation
When it comes to any
divorce or legal separation, child custody is one of the most contested matters.
It can be extremely difficult if you and your spouse are unable to agree
on who will have primary custody and who will have legal custody. In the
case that you are not married to the other parent of your child, obtaining
custody can be problematic without proper representation. If you are currently
involved in a divorce or other family law case, it is essential that you
act quickly to hire a Grand Rapids child custody attorney.
If you would like to set up a
free case consultation, contact The Wealthy Street Law Firm at (616) 202-3988.
How Is Child Custody Determined?
The best-case scenario in any divorce or legal matter involving child custody
is if you and the other parent can remain amicable and come up with a
proposed child custody and
visitation agreement. If you and the other parent of your child are unable to decide
who should have custody, the decision is left to the family court. The
family court attempts to do what is best for the child and tries to involve
both parents whenever possible.
A few factors that they may consider include:
- Which parent the child prefers to live with
- The parent's physical and financial ability to support the child
- The financial situation and income of each parent
- The needs of the child (health, education, etc.)
- If there is any history of domestic abuse or drug use
Understanding the Child Custody Process in Michigan
Typically, custody is separated into legal custody and physical custody.
Legal custody refers to which parent has the right to make decisions about
their welfare, religion, education, and health. Physical custody involves
which parent the child will live with. Depending on the circumstances
of your case, you may be awarded joint custody, primary (sole) custody,
or another type of custody situation.
Deciding on Parenting Time in Michigan
When the courts consider parenting time, or in other words, the amount
of time that the courts establish to provide time to spend with the child.
Not every plan will work the same for each parent, considering parent
schedules and what works best for the parents and the children. However,
the courts will be able to consider what parenting time schedule will
be ideal, based on the child's best interests.
Some of these factors include:
- The child's current relationship with each respective parent
- The parent's ability to give love and guide the child
- The parent's ability to provide food, shelter, and clothing to the child
- The parent's current financial status
- The time the child has lived in his or her home environment
- The desire to retain a sense of stability for the child
- Whether or not there was a history of domestic violence or abuse in the home
- The child's personal preferences
First and foremost, the child's needs are the most important factor
when deciding on parenting time. The ideal situation disrupts the child's
life as little as possible. Children will thrive best in an environment
that is not only familiar to them, but allows both parents to interact
and to maintain a positive influence in the child's life. If you are
struggling with this situation and would like to decide on a proper parenting
plan, please do not hesitate to contact The Wealthy Street Law Firm today!
If you need legal assistance with a child custody related matter, call
our experienced child custody lawyer at (616) 202-3988. We serve those
throughout Michigan.