Child Custody Attorneys, Michigan

Your children are important to you. They may be the most important part of your divorce, or the reason to go to the family court in the first place. An experienced child custody attorney can help you protect your right to control what happens to your children and give them a custody arrangement based on their needs and best interests.

Compassionate Guidance for Legal Custody Decision-Making

There are two types of custody in Michigan. Legal custody applies to the decision-making for your child. Physical custody is all about where they spend their time. Legal custody doesn’t necessarily control every day-to-day decision like bedtimes or snacks. However, whichever parent is awarded legal custody has the authority to make major decisions about their child:

• Where they will go to school?
• What medical care they will receive?
• What religion they will practice?
• Whether they will enroll in extracurricular activities

When the family court awards parents joint legal custody, you and your co-parent will need to cooperate in reaching those decisions based on what is in your child’s best interest. At Your Path Family Law, we know that not every couple can cooperate to care for their children. We will listen if you say you can’t work with your former spouse and we will advocate for sole legal custody on your behalf.

Predictable Attorney Fees for Child Custody Disputes in Kalamazoo, MI

Child custody battles can be unpredictable. Discovery, depositions, mediations, Friend of the Court investigations, and court battles can all bring up uncomfortable memories and expose aspects of your past you would rather forget. At other law firms, the unpredictable nature of custody disputes can lead to unexpected legal fees you may not be able to afford. Your Path Family Law uses a flat-fee billing model, which means there are no surprises when the bill arrives.

Quality Representation for Parents Fighting for Their Children’s Best Interests

Physical custody is more than a label. It controls where your children are day to day, and which parent has control over their everyday lives. A custodial parent can influence a child’s behavior in many small ways, from establishing good dental habits to putting homework first.

Joint physical custody – where parents share this responsibility by dividing up parenting time  – is very popular among parents and judges alike. When parents get along, we can help you craft a custody order that respects both parents’ wishes, strengths, and schedules and gives you the flexibility to address future scheduling disputes without coming back to court.

However, we also recognize that there are times where it is not only inappropriate, but unsafe:

• Domestic violence
• Mental illness (of a parent or child)
• Parental abandonment
• Extreme conflict between parents

At Your Path Family Law, we understand the intricacies of the Child Custody Act’s best interest factors. We will review all the details in your case and give you a realistic assessment of whether sole physical custody may be needed to protect your family. We will negotiate for a custodial arrangement and parenting time schedule that makes you feel safe, and advocate in the courts to make sure any custody order contains protective language to shield you and your children from harm.

Skilled Advocacy to Modify Custody and Protect Your Children

A child custody order that worked for your children at age four may not make sense at age 14. As children grow up and household circumstances change, you may need to come back to court and ask your family court judge to reconsider your custody arrangement. Whether you simply need to adjust parenting time or need to protect your children from a parent who has become dangerous, we are here to help. We will carefully review your situation to determine if there is proper cause or has been a change in circumstances that will allow the court to make a change.

Choose Your Path to Resolve Child Custody Disputes

At Your Path Family Law, we understand child custody laws and the judges who apply them. We will provide you practical advice, negotiate with your former spouse or co-parent, and advocate on your behalf in family court. With your priorities in mind, we will advocate on your behalf throughout Michigan - from Wayne County to Kalamazoo.