CHILD CUSTODY LAWYERS IN ANN ARBOR & TECUMSEH
Clear Guidance for Child Custody Decisions
Child custody issues can affect your child’s routine, your parenting schedule, and how major decisions are made. Whether custody is part of a divorce, a parenting-time dispute, or a requested modification, the process can feel overwhelming without clear legal guidance.
At Stimpson & Associates, we help parents in Ann Arbor, Tecumseh, Washtenaw County, and Lenawee County understand their options and prepare for the next step.
Types of Custody in Michigan
Understanding Legal and Physical Custody
In Michigan, child custody generally includes two main parts: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody involves major decisions about a child’s upbringing, while physical custody focuses on where the child lives and how day-to-day care is handled.
- Legal custody
Legal custody gives a parent the authority to make important decisions about the child’s education, medical care, religious upbringing, and general welfare. Legal custody may be shared by both parents or granted to one parent. - Physical custody
Physical custody focuses on the child’s living arrangements and daily care. A child may live primarily with one parent or spend significant time with both parents based on a custody and parenting-time schedule.
Custody arrangements can vary depending on the child’s needs, the parents’ circumstances, and the facts of the case. A lawyer can help you understand what type of custody arrangement may apply to your situation and how to prepare for the decisions ahead.
How Courts Decide Custody in Michigan
Focusing on Your Child’s Best Interests
Michigan custody decisions are based on what the court determines is in the child’s best interests. Under Michigan law, courts consider 12 best-interest factors when making custody decisions, including emotional ties, each parent’s ability to provide care and guidance, the child’s home and school stability, the mental and physical health of those involved, domestic violence, and any other factor the court considers relevant.
Courts May Look at
- The child’s emotional bond with each parent
- Each parent’s ability to provide care, guidance, and stability
- The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community
- Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent
- The mental and physical health of the people involved
- Any history of domestic violence
- The child’s preference, when the court finds the child is old enough to express one
Every custody case is different, and the court may weigh certain factors more heavily depending on the situation. Stimpson & Associates can help you understand how these factors may apply to your family and what information may be important as your case moves forward.
What to Expect in a Child Custody Case
A clearer look at the process
Child custody cases can involve several steps, from filing paperwork to temporary orders, mediation, hearings, and final custody decisions. The exact process depends on your situation, but understanding what may come next can make the experience feel less overwhelming.
1. Starting the Case
A custody case may begin as part of a divorce, a parenting-time dispute, or a separate custody filing. This step often involves filing court documents and providing information about the child, each parent, and the current parenting arrangement.
2. Temporary Orders and Case Review
As the case moves forward, the court may issue temporary custody or parenting-time orders. In some cases, Friend of the Court may assist with gathering information, reviewing support issues, or helping parents work through disputes.
3. Reaching a Final Custody Arrangement
Some custody matters are resolved through agreement or mediation. Others may require a hearing where each parent presents information to the court. The final order will outline custody, parenting time, and related responsibilities.
Child Custody Issues We Help With
Changing a Custody Order
Life changes, and a custody order that once worked may no longer fit your child’s needs or your family’s circumstances.
A custody modification may be needed when there has been a meaningful change involving parenting schedules, relocation, a parent’s living situation, the child’s needs, or concerns about safety and stability.
Stimpson & Associates can help you understand whether a custody modification may be appropriate and what information may be important before requesting a change.
Mediation and Custody Agreements
Not every custody matter needs to be resolved in court. Mediation can give parents a structured setting to discuss custody, parenting time, and related concerns with the goal of reaching an agreement.
When mediation is appropriate, we help clients understand their options, prepare for discussions, and review proposed agreements before decisions are finalized.
Grandparent and Third-Party Custody Issues
Some custody and visitation matters involve grandparents, guardians, or other family members. These cases can be more complex because Michigan law has specific rules about when someone other than a parent may seek visitation or custody rights.
We help families understand what rights may apply, what the court may consider, and how to prepare for next steps.
Interstate and International Custody Concerns
Custody issues can become more complicated when parents live in different states or countries. Questions may come up about which court has authority, how an existing order should be enforced, or what happens when a child is moved across state or international lines.
Stimpson & Associates can help clients understand the legal issues involved and what steps may be available based on the circumstances.
How Stimpson & Associates Can Help
Custody Guidance Based on Your Family’s Situation
Every custody matter is different. Some parents are working toward an agreement. Others are dealing with conflict, changing schedules, safety concerns, or questions about an existing order.
Stimpson & Associates helps parents understand their options, prepare for important decisions, and work through custody issues with steady, practical guidance.
We can help with:
- Negotiating and drafting custody agreements
- Preparing for mediation or court hearings
- Modifying existing custody orders
- Developing parenting-time schedules
- Addressing high-conflict custody disputes
- Reviewing how custody, parenting time, and child support may connect
- Understanding what information may be important to your case
Our goal is to help you make informed decisions while keeping your child’s needs, your parental rights, and your family’s long-term stability in focus.
Meet Our Lawyers
David M. Stimpson
Managing Partner
David Lacasse
Attorney
What Our Clients Are Saying
Dave, and their entire staff are amazing and wonderful to work with. Dave was extremely compassionate to me during my difficult divorce. Dave was always responsive to my calls and questions in a reasonable amount of time. Dave always made sure to explain everything to me in a manner I could understand. I am grateful that Dave was recommended to me by a friend. All I can say he was great to work with. Highly recommend!
Our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy and Stimpson Law helped us every step of the way. They were understanding, caring, and showed compassion while handling our legal matters. We are so appreciative of the entire office and highly recommend them.
Mr. Stimpson and his colleagues were so kind and very polite and helpful, when I was going through my divorce. They took the time and patience to explain everything in detail to my understanding. I would refer Stimpson & Associates to anyone who needs lawyer services.
I wish I could give Stimpson and his team more than five stars! Stimpson was my attorney for a drawn-out and emotional case. He kept me level-headed, focused, and most importantly, prepared. I genuinely appreciate his advice, his honesty, and his straightforward attitude. My fight was his fight and that was evident in the courtroom. Stimpson was worth every single penny! A BIG thank you to him and his team!
Talk Through Your Child Custody Questions
Ready to understand your next step?
Child custody issues can affect your child’s routine, your parenting schedule, and your family’s future. Whether you are starting a custody case, modifying an existing order, or working through a parenting-time concern, our team can help you understand your options and prepare for what comes next.