Joint custody means that the children spend equal amounts of time with both parents and move back and forth between the two houses.
If you are getting a divorce in the state of Michigan and are wondering what will happen to the children, you need to know that if there is a hearing, the judge will use the Michigan Custody Act to determine where the best interests of the children lie. This is of course the case when the parents cannot agree on a parenting plan. You have two choices here – let the judge decide, or team up with your ex and figure out what’s best for your kids. Contact experienced Michigan child custody attorneys and they will explain why it is best to create a parenting plan rather than rely on the court’s decision.
There are two types of child custody in Michigan – physical custody and statutory custody. Each of them can have sole custody or joint custody, so there are many aspects to consider.
Custody relates to the residence of the children. If the children spend most of their time with one parent, that parent has primary custody while the other has visitation rights and has the children for overnight stays on alternate weekends or holidays. Joint custody means that the children spend equal amounts of time with both parents and move back and forth between the two houses.
This is the first thing you need to decide. To do this, you need to sit down with the best custody attorneys in Detroit and see what type of arrangement would work for your family. As a parent, you know your family’s situation best and can decide whether one of you should be the primary guardian or whether it is preferable for both of you to spend equal amounts of time with the children.
woman and two small children playing with letter blocks on the floor; Image by Marisa Howenstine, via Unsplash.com.
Custody is about who will make the important decisions related to the well-being of the children, such as: such as the school they should attend or any medical treatment they may need. With joint custody, both parents have a say in such decisions, but this requires close contact and discussion. If you are not happy with the idea, it can lead to many problems.
If you enlist the help of experienced child custody attorneys, they can help you work out some of the differences between you so you can create a workable parenting plan.
This plan will then be presented to the judge and if he finds that it is based on the best interests of the child, he will sign it.
Subsequent changes to parenting plans are possible if your family’s situation changes significantly. If one parent moves into a new home that may not be suitable for the children, the other parent can request a change in visitation schedule. Also, any health problem, whether mental or physical, affecting either parent warrants some changes to the original parenting plan. However, the judge must approve any changes and you will need a good lawyer to represent you when you go to court.
If the parents can’t agree on a plan, they’ll have to go to court, which means airing all your dirty laundry in public and bringing out all the skeletons in your closet. Are you sure you want this?
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