Child Custody, Visitation and Parenting Time

Overview

Experience

In a divorce involving minor children, the parents’ primary concern is usually the living situation of the children. Who gets child custody? What are my visitation rights? Will I get enough parenting time with my children? Michigan child custody laws are complex. You need an experienced lawyer who can help guide parents through the legal maze of child custody and visitation issues. At the same time, you want an empathetic attorney who understands how stressful and emotional it can be to work out custody arrangements.

There are several types of child custody awarded in Michigan, including:

Legal Custody
Legal custody means the right to make all important decisions for the children, such as the choice of a school and the selection of a medical provider. When parents have joint legal custody, the parents are expected to work together on important decisions affecting the welfare of the children. Most parents have joint legal custody.

Physical Custody
Physical custody means the child regularly resides with that parent. Physical custody can be primarily with one parent or it may be shared. Shared physical custody (or joint physical custody) means that the parents share actual physical custody of their children. In this instance, neither parent is a “non-custodial parent” and the children have extensive time with each parent.

Contact Us

Smith Haughey child custody lawyers can deliver what you want and what you need. We help create arrangements that serve the best interests of children while protecting parents. Our goal is to negotiate good solutions that focus on the children rather than take a case to court. However, we have the knowledge and skill to fight for child custody and parenting time/visitation before a judge, if necessary. Our attorneys can assist with the gamut of custody issues, including:

  • Legal Custody
  • Physical Custody
  • Parenting Time / Visitation
  • Guardianship
  • Conservatorship
  • Child Support

PROFESSIONALS