Ann Arbor Child Custody Attorney

Child custody disputes tend to be the most emotionally difficult challenge for divorcing or separating parents. Nothing matters more than maintaining a strong relationship with your children and ensuring their well-being. At The Smith Law Offices, P.C., our Ann Arbor child custody attorneys are committed to protecting your parental rights while advocating for an arrangement that serves your children’s best interests.

Our law firm believes in personal, face-to-face representation, which means you’ll work directly with an experienced child custody lawyer who knows your case inside and out. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation with an Ann Arbor child custody lawyer.

What Types of Custody Does Michigan Recognize?

Michigan law distinguishes between two types of custody: legal and physical. Legal custody gives you the authority to make major decisions about your child’s life, including choices about education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Physical custody determines where your child lives and spends their time.

Both types of custody can be joint (shared between both parents) or sole (granted to one parent). Joint legal custody means both parents share decision-making authority for important matters affecting the child. Joint physical custody means the child spends substantial time living with each parent, though the time doesn’t need to be split exactly equally.

Sole legal custody gives one parent the authority to make major decisions without consulting the other parent. Sole physical custody means that the child primarily lives with one parent, while the other parent typically has parenting time (visitation rights).

Michigan’s Best Interests Factors for Child Custody

When determining custody arrangements, Michigan courts must consider what serves the child’s best interests. The law provides twelve specific factors that judges evaluate when making custody decisions. Our Ann Arbor child custody lawyers will carefully review each factor with you and explain how it might apply to your situation.

• Emotional bonds and relationships ‒ Courts look at the love, affection, and emotional connections between the child and each parent.
• Ability to provide guidance and education ‒ This includes the ability to continue the child’s education and, if applicable, raise the child in their established religion or belief system.
• Providing basic necessities ‒ Courts evaluate each parent’s ability to provide food, clothing, medical care, and other essential needs.
• Stability and continuity ‒ Courts generally prefer to maintain continuity in a child’s life rather than disrupting established routines, schools, and community connections.
• Permanence of the home ‒ Judges assess whether a stable family environment supports the child’s emotional development and security.
• Moral fitness ‒ This doesn’t mean parents must be perfect, but courts will consider serious moral failings that could harm the child.
• Mental and physical health ‒ Health challenges don’t automatically disqualify a parent from custody, but they’re part of the overall evaluation.
• Child’s record in home, school, and community ‒ Good school performance, positive behavior at home, and healthy community involvement suggest the current arrangement is working well.
• Child’s preference ‒ If the child is old enough to express a reasonable preference, the court will consider their wishes. However, the child’s preference is just one factor among many, and judges understand that various circumstances may influence children’s stated preferences.
• Facilitating the parent-child relationship ‒ A parent who attempts to alienate the child from the other parent or interferes with parenting time will face negative consequences in custody decisions. (However, taking reasonable steps to protect a child from domestic violence or abuse will not be held against a parent.)
• Domestic violence ‒ Any history of domestic violence is a critical factor, whether the violence was directed at the child or the child witnessed violence between parents.
• Other relevant factors ‒ This might include special needs of the child, work schedules of the parents, substance abuse issues, or other unique factors.

Types of Child Custody Cases We Handle in Ann Abror

The Smith Law Offices, P.C., represents parents at every stage of custody disputes. Whether you’re just beginning divorce proceedings or dealing with post-judgment modifications, our attorneys can help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Initial Custody Determinations

When parents separate or divorce, establishing initial custody and parenting time orders is essential. We’ll help you develop a parenting plan that both protects your relationship with your children and meets their needs.

Temporary Custody Orders

During divorce proceedings, temporary custody orders govern arrangements until the divorce is finalized. Our law office will advocate for a temporary order that protects your rights and maintains stability for your children.

Custody Modifications

Life circumstances change. A parent might relocate for work, remarry, or experience changes in work schedule. Children’s needs evolve as they grow older. When significant changes occur, you may need to modify existing custody orders. We can help you petition the court for modifications when there’s been a change in circumstances or when modification serves your child’s best interests.

Enforcement Proceedings

Sometimes, a parent might refuse to follow court-ordered arrangements. If this is the case for you, our lawyers can assist you in filing enforcement actions to ensure your parenting time rights are respected.

Parenting Time Disputes

Even when custody is established, disagreements can still arise regarding specific details of parenting time. We’ll help you resolve disputes about schedules, holiday arrangements, vacation time, and other parenting time issues.

Creating Effective Parenting Plans

A well-crafted parenting plan reduces conflict and provides clarity for both parents and children. Our Ann Arbor family law attorneys will work with you to create comprehensive parenting plans that address:

• Regular parenting time schedules for weekdays and weekends
• Holiday and vacation parenting time
• Transportation arrangements and exchange locations
• Communication between parents about the children
• Medical, educational, and religious decisions
• Extracurricular activities and special events
• How to handle schedule changes and conflicts

We understand that families in Washtenaw County have diverse needs. Some parents work traditional schedules, while others have shift work or travel requirements. Some children have special educational or medical needs. We’ll make sure your parenting plan fits your family’s unique situation.

Child Support Considerations

Child custody arrangements directly affect child support calculations. Michigan uses a formula-based system that considers both parents’ incomes and the amount of overnight parenting time each parent has. Our law firm will review any proposed child support order to ensure it accurately reflects your financial circumstances.

We can also help you with child support modifications when there are significant changes in income, employment, or parenting time arrangements.

How Can Our Law Firm Protect Your Parental Rights?

Your relationship with your children is precious. Our child custody lawyers will advocate strongly for your parental rights while keeping a focus on your children’s well-being. We’re comfortable in the courtroom when litigation is necessary, but we also recognize that many custody disputes can be resolved through negotiation or mediation, which can preserve family relationships and reduce conflict.

We’ll give you an honest assessment of your case based on Michigan’s best interests factors. We’ll explain your options and help you make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Contact Our Ann Arbor Child Custody Attorneys

The Smith Law Offices, P.C., offers a free initial consultation to every client. This meeting gives you an opportunity to discuss your custody concerns with an experienced attorney and understand what to expect from the court process. We’ll answer your questions and provide straightforward guidance about your case.

To schedule your free consultation with our Ann Arbor law office, contact us online or call our law firm.