Navigate Your Child Custody Journey with Michigan’s Trusted Experts
Child Custody Lawyers in Ann Arbor and Tecumseh
Specialized Legal Representation for Complex Child Custody Matters
At Stimpson & Associates P.C., we are proud to be Michigan’s trusted experts in child custody law. Serving families in Ann Arbor and Tecumseh, we provide compassionate guidance to help you navigate the complexities of child custody matters. We understand how emotional these situations can be and are committed to protecting what matters most—your children’s best interests.
Types of Custody in Michigan
Understand Your Options
When it comes to child custody in Michigan, there are different types of arrangements that you should understand to make informed decisions for your family.
Legal Custody
Legal custody gives you the authority to make key decisions about your child’s life. This includes choices about their education, such as school and program selection, healthcare decisions like medical and psychological care, and matters related to their religious upbringing and activities.
There are two main types of legal custody:
- Joint Legal Custody: Both parents share decision-making responsibilities, collaborating on major decisions affecting their child’s life.
- Sole Legal Custody: One parent has the authority to make all the major decisions without needing to consult the other parent.
Physical Custody
Physical custody determines where your child lives and who provides their daily care. It focuses on your child’s day-to-day living arrangements.
The types of physical custody include:
- Primary Physical Custody: Your child lives mainly with one parent, who is responsible for their daily care.
- Joint Physical Custody: Your child spends significant time living with both parents according to a schedule, allowing for substantial involvement from both parents.
Combination Options
Courts can tailor custody arrangements to fit what’s best for the child. This may include combining various types of legal and physical custody, such as:
- Joint Legal Custody with Sole Physical Custody
- Joint Physical Custody with Sole Legal Custody
- Joint Legal and Physical Custody
Understanding these options is key to making the best decisions for your child. We’re here to guide you through the process and help you find the solution that fits your family’s unique needs.
Explore your options with us. Get personalized advice today.
How Courts Decide Custody in Michigan
Focusing on Your Child’s Best Interests
In Michigan, custody decisions are guided by the ‘best interests of the child.’ To decide what arrangement best supports these interests, courts evaluate twelve key factors:
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- Emotional Ties: The court considers the love and emotional bonds between the child and each parent, evaluating the strength of these connections.
- Parental Capacity: The court evaluates each parent’s ability to offer love, guidance, and education, ensuring they can support the child’s emotional and developmental needs.
- Supporting Relationships: Each parent’s willingness to support and encourage the child’s relationship with the other parent is an important factor. Parents who foster a positive connection between the child and the other parent are often viewed more favorably.
- Stable Environment: Stability plays a vital role in a child’s well-being. Factors such as how long the child has lived in a stable, supportive environment and the benefits of maintaining that stability are carefully considered.
- Family Unit Permanence: The permanence of the existing or proposed custodial home is considered, including the stability of the family unit in each parent’s household.
- Health: The mental and physical health of everyone involved is evaluated to ensure each parent can effectively care for the child.
- Home, School, and Community: How well the child is adjusted to their home, school, and community is carefully evaluated, including the potential impact of any changes.
- Moral Fitness: Each parent’s moral conduct is considered, focusing on how their behavior may impact the child’s well-being.
- Child’s Preference: If the child is mature enough, their custody preference may be taken into consideration.
- Domestic Violence: Any history of domestic violence is a crucial consideration, even if the violence was not directed at the child.
- Parental Ability: Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s basic needs—such as food, clothing, and medical care—is carefully assessed.
- Any Other Relevant Factor: The court may consider any other factors that it deems relevant to the custody arrangement.
Understanding how these factors apply to your situation is key. We’re here to help you build a strong case, addressing each consideration to ensure your child’s best interests are at the heart of every decision.
Let us advocate for your child’s best interests.
The Process for Determining Child Custody in Michigan Courts
We’re with You Every Step of the Way
Navigating the child custody process can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. We are here to support you through every stage.
Starting the Process
The first step is filing your case in the proper jurisdiction, typically your child’s ‘home state’—the state where they have lived for the past six months. This involves preparing and submitting key documents, such as a complaint to start the case, questionnaires and affidavits describing your situation, and proof of paternity if you are unmarried.
During the Case
As your case moves forward, a Friend of the Court (FOC) case manager may assist with mediating discussions and collecting information related to custody and support. The court might issue temporary custody orders to ensure stability for your child while the case is ongoing. Additionally, some courts may require parents to attend parenting classes to help them understand how custody disputes can affect children.
Final Decisions
If you and the other parent cannot reach an agreement, the case will move to a custody hearing. Both parties will have the chance to present evidence and make their case. The judge will review all relevant factors to decide on a custody arrangement that supports your child’s best interests. Once a decision is made, the court will issue final, legally binding orders detailing custody and parenting time.
We’ll guide you through this process. We are here to support you. Contact us here.
Secure Your Future with Expert Legal Support
Changing a Custody Order
Life Changes—We Can Help You Adapt
Life changes can sometimes require adjustments to your existing custody arrangement.
When Can You Change Custody?
To modify a custody order in Michigan, there must be a significant change in circumstances since the previous order was issued. Examples of such changes include:
- Relocation: A parent moves to a new location that impacts the current custody arrangement.
- Changes in Living Conditions: Significant changes in the home environment that affect the child’s well-being.
- Health Issues: New or worsening health concerns that influence a parent’s ability to care for the child.
- Substance Abuse Problems: Problems with substance abuse that could put the child’s safety at risk.
How to Request a Change
The process for requesting a modification involves several steps:
- File a Motion: Submit a formal request to the court, outlining the changes in circumstances and explaining why the modification would benefit your child.
- Notify the Other Parent: Serve the motion to the other parent, who has the right to respond.
- Court Evaluation: The court will review the details and may hold a hearing to determine if the change is justified.
- Decision: Based on the evidence and the child’s best interests, the judge will decide whether to modify the custody order.
Not sure if you qualify for a change? Let’s discuss your situation. Contact us today.
Mediation and Alternative Solutions
Finding Amicable Agreements
Resolving custody matters doesn’t always mean going to court. Mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods can help parents reach amicable agreements without the stress of a courtroom battle.
What Is Mediation?
Mediation is a private and confidential process where a neutral third party, the mediator, helps parents discuss their concerns and work toward a mutually agreeable solution. It offers a less confrontational setting than a courtroom.
Benefits of Mediation
- Saves Time and Money: Mediation is typically quicker and less expensive than litigation.
- You Stay in Control: Parents have more control over the outcome rather than leaving decisions solely to a judge.
- Better Communication: It can improve co-parenting relationships by fostering open communication and cooperation.
Our Role
We’re here to support and guide you through the mediation process, helping you understand your rights and explore your options. Our priority is finding a solution that serves your child’s best interests while reducing conflict.
Interested in mediation? Learn how we can help. Contact us for more information.
Rights of Grandparents and Others
Advocating for Extended Family
In some cases, grandparents or other third parties may pursue visitation or custody rights. We have extensive experience with these complex situations and are here to help you understand and protect your rights.
Grandparents’ Rights
Grandparents may petition for visitation under specific circumstances, such as:
- If a parent has passed away.
- During or after a divorce, legal separation, or annulment.
- If the child has lived with the grandparent for a significant period.
Grandparents seeking visitation must show that denying it would harm the child and that they share a strong, established relationship with their grandchild.
Third-Party Custody
In some cases, third parties—such as guardians or close relatives like aunts, uncles, or adult siblings—may seek custody. This typically occurs when:
- The parents are unable or unwilling to care for the child.
- Concerns about abuse, neglect, or substance abuse arise.
The court will evaluate whether granting custody to the third party is in the child’s best interests and if it provides a stable and supportive environment.
Need help with grandparent or third-party rights? We’re here for you. Contact us to discuss your case.
Dealing with Interstate and International Custody
Navigating Complex Situations
Custody matters can become even more complicated when they involve multiple states or countries. Our firm is equipped to handle these challenging cases.
Across State Lines
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) helps determine which state has the authority to make custody decisions. Generally, the child’s home state—the state where they have lived for at least six months—has jurisdiction.
International Cases
International custody disputes may involve the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, an international agreement designed to protect children from abduction and secure their prompt return to their habitual residence.
Facing custody issues across borders or state lines? Let us guide you. Reach out to us today.
How Stimpson & Associates Can Help You
Personalized Strategies for Your Unique Family Situation
We understand that every family is different, and we tailor our services to meet your specific needs.
Our Services Include
- Negotiating and Drafting Custody Agreements: Crafting agreements that protect your rights and serve your child’s best interests.
- Representation in Mediation and Court Hearings: Advocating for you in all legal settings.
- Modifying Existing Custody Orders: Assisting with changes due to evolving circumstances.
- Developing Parenting Plans and Visitation Schedules: Creating workable plans for smooth co-parenting.
- Handling High-Conflict Disputes: Strategic advocacy in contentious situations.
Compassionate Legal Support tailored to your needs.
Safeguarding your parental rights and your child’s future is our priority.
Experience dedicated legal support. Contact us to start your journey.
Why Choose Stimpson & Associates
The Benefits of Working with Us
Choosing the right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Here’s why you should consider Stimpson & Associates:
- Client-Focused: Your needs come first.
- Experienced Team: We have a strong track record in custody cases.
- Knowledgeable: Deep understanding of Michigan family law.
- Customized Strategies: We tailor our approach to you.
- Committed to Success: We strive for the best possible outcome.
Trusted Advocates for Your Family’s Well-Being.
Choose a firm that puts you first. Schedule your consultation now.
Our Approach
Compassionate and Strong Representation
Our approach balances empathy with assertive advocacy to protect your interests.
- Your Child Comes First: We focus on what’s best for them.
- Cooperative Solutions: We aim for agreements that reduce conflict.
- Ready to Fight: If needed, we’re prepared to advocate fiercely in court.
- Clear Communication: We keep you informed at every stage.
Secure peace of mind with our dedicated team. Reach out today. Contact us to learn more.
Meet Our Lawyers
David M. Stimpson
Managing Partner
David Lacasse
Attorney
Jessica Kelly
Attorney
Amy Parker
Attorney
What Our Clients Are Saying
My wife and I worked with Jessica Kelly to rewrite and update our estate documents. Jessica was thoughtful, caring, articulate and professional and showed a thorough understanding of issues we faced. She worked carefully and patiently with us to produce a document that we feel will serve us well. Without reservation, we would recommend her services to others.
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!
Take the First Step Towards Protecting Your Family
We’re Here to Assist You
Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our dedicated team is here to provide personalized support and expert guidance every step of the way.