Grand Rapids Child Custody Attorney
When your family is changing, deciding where your children will live can feel overwhelming. No two families are alike, so a one-size-fits-all child custody plan rarely works. At Giordano Law, PLC, Michele M. Giordano learns about your children and your concerns before shaping a strategy around them.
How Child Custody Is Determined In Michigan
Michigan judges do not automatically favor mothers or fathers. Instead, the Michigan Child Custody Act directs courts to weigh 12 factors centered on your child’s welfare, including:
- Emotional ties: Judges look at the bond between your child and each parent.
- Stability: Courts examine how long your child has lived in a stable home and community.
- Cooperation: Judges consider whether each parent will support the child’s relationship with the other parent.
- Your child’s preference: A judge may consider your child’s wishes if the child is old enough to express a reasonable preference.
Michele can help you gather the records and details that show how your parenting supports these factors.
Sole Custody Vs. Joint Custody
Legal custody covers major decisions about education, healthcare and religion. Physical custody, specifically parenting time, determines where your child lives.
Sole custody gives one parent that decision-making power or the primary home, while joint custody shares them. When both parents agree to joint custody, Michigan courts must award it unless clear and convincing evidence shows it would not serve the child’s interests.
Custody does not always mean a courtroom battle. Many parents agree on a parenting plan through mediation, one of the family law services Michele provides.
Modifying Child Custody Orders In Michigan
Life rarely stands still after a custody order. A relocation or a change in your child’s needs or safety concerns may justify modifying custody orders, but you must first show proper cause or a significant change in circumstances.
If the change would disrupt your child’s established home, the court requires clear and convincing evidence that it serves your child. Michele can tell you whether a modification is realistic.
Get Clear Answers About Your Custody Options
Custody decisions shape your children’s daily lives for years. During a free consultation, you can share your situation with a lawyer and get honest answers about your options. Call 616-426-8308 or schedule a consultation. Giordano Law, PLC, represents parents in Grand Rapids and throughout Barry, Ionia and Muskegon counties.