By David R. Dawson | Published May 15, 2021 | Posted in Divorce | Tagged Tags: child custody, divorce, Michigan Child Custody Act, nonbiological parent | Comments Off on Can a Nonbiological Parent Can Seek Child Custody in Michigan?
Can a Nonbiological Parent Can Seek Child Custody in Michigan?
The definition of family has evolved in the U.S. and with that change has come the legal recognition of parental rights arising from nontraditional relationships. In Michigan, a legal framework called the equitable parent doctrine allows a spouse who is not a biological parent of his or her spouse’s child, but who has raised and Read More
Read MoreShould You Consider a Postnuptial Agreement?
A postnuptial agreement is essentially the same as a prenup except that it is created after you are married. It is a legal contract setting out how your assets and debts will be allocated if you should end up getting divorced. However, postnuptial agreements until recently were not enforceable in Michigan, as judges tended to Read More
Read MoreGetting Your Finances in Order Before Filing for Divorce
Much of the stress associated with divorce concerns money. From property division to child support to spousal support (alimony), there are many financial issues to resolve. Proactively organizing your financial records ahead of your Michigan divorce can ease some of the pain of divorce. The process of gathering financial information may itself feel overwhelming, but Read More
Read MoreFactors to Be Considered in Awarding Spousal Support in Michigan
Under Michigan law, courts decide whether to award spousal support and how much to award based on a number of factors. The primary goal behind spousal support — also known as alimony — is to equalize the lifestyles of the parties, making sure that one spouse doesn’t experience a significant diminishment in their quality of Read More
Read MoreWho Gets the Family Home in a Divorce?
For many couples, their home is their biggest asset. Thus, it makes sense for people to be worried about how they’re going to deal with ownership of their house when they get divorced. Generally, there are three ways to divide real estate in a divorce. You can sell the house and split the proceeds, one Read More
Read MoreHow to Deal with Children’s Extracurricular and Post-majority Expenses After Divorce
In Michigan, the court sets child support based on a number of factors, including how much money the parents make, how many children the couple has and how much time the children will spend with either parent. The typical child support order covers the costs associated with the child’s housing, food, clothing and medical care. Read More
Read MoreHow Does a Finding of Domestic Violence Affect Child Custody?
Domestic violence is a serious problem that can play a significant role in how courts award custody of children in divorce cases and post-decree child support cases. But it is not always simple to decide whether certain conduct rises to the level of domestic violence. In a recent decision, a Michigan appeals court stated that Read More
Read MoreChild Support Modification Based on COVID-19 Layoffs and Closures
With businesses reeling and people experiencing layoffs and furloughs due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s understandable that many parents are worried about how they’re going to continue meeting their child support obligations. If you have experienced a reduction in your income, you may be able to get your child support obligation temporarily or permanently reduced. Read More
Read MoreHow Michigan School Closures During COVID-19 May Affect Parenting Time
The coronavirus pandemic has upended just about every aspect of family life. With kids returning to school amid the threat of rolling shutdowns, it is understandable if divorced or separated parents are concerned about how the potential for school closures could impact their parenting schedules. Obviously, almost no parent out there considered the possibility of Read More
Read MoreDo’s and Don’ts of Seeking Custody and Parenting Time in Michigan
The thought of losing time with your child is challenging in any case. When custody and parenting time decisions are in the hands of a judge, it can feel like the most important relationship of your life is left to the will of a stranger. But going through a custody conflict in Michigan does not Read More
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