Bloomfield Hills Child Custody Attorney

One small mistake in a child custody case can cost a parent greatly. It is important that any parent entering a child custody dispute speaks to an experienced Bloomfield Hills child custody attorney. 

Types of Child Custody in Bloomfield Hills

Any child custody agreement will include two main types of custody. Legal custody is the ability to make decisions for the child. These can include how the child is raised, what religion they will be raised in, and educational decisions. 

Physical custody refers to where the child will live, and which parent he or she will spend the most time with. Joint custody is when both parents are awarded partial custody. That does not always mean that it will allow for equal time with each parent. 

When a parent is awarded sole custody, it means that they are the primary parent for the child. The child will live primarily with that parent, and that parent will make all decisions regarding the child. Even in these situations, judges typically try to arrange a visitation agreement with the other parent.

12 Factors for Determining Child Custody in Bloomfield Hills

According to the Michigan Child Custody Act, there are 12 different factors a judge must consider when determining child custody. These include:

• The existing emotional ties between the child and each parent
• The ability of each parent to provide the child with love, affection, and guidance
• The ability of each parent to provide the child with basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing
• The amount of time a child has spent in a stable environment, and the benefit of continuing it
• The family unit in any home the child will live in
• The morality of both parents
• The health, both mental and physical, of each parent
• The involvement of each parent in the child’s home, school, and community
• The preference of the child, to a reasonable extent
• The willingness of each parent to foster a good relationship with the other parent
• Domestic violence in the family
• Any other factors the judge deems relevant

When considering each of these factors, a judge will always keep in mind what is in the best interests of the child.

Modifying a Child Custody Order in Bloomfield Hills

Once a judge issues a child custody order, that order is final. Any deviation from the plan the judge has created can result in serious consequences for the parent responsible, such as being held in contempt of court. However, Michigan law recognizes that circumstances sometimes change and this sometimes means a custody order needs to be modified. When this is the case, the parents can petition the court to modify the order.

In order to modify a child custody order, the parents must prove that the circumstances have changed substantially. A parent may relocate, or one parent may suspect the other of domestic violence. When a child reaches a certain age, usually above the age of 13 or 14, their preference is also given greater consideration. As when determining which parent to award custody originally, a judge will always consider the child’s best interests when modifying a child custody order. 

Call a Bloomfield Hills Child Custody Attorney for Help with Your Case

If you are about to enter a child custody dispute, there is too much on the line for you to go it alone. Call a child custody attorney in Bloomfield Hills that can advise on your case. At Iafrate & Salassa, P.C., we want to help you get the most favorable child custody terms possible. Whether you are going through a divorce, have opened a paternity case, or need to modify a current order, we can help. Call us today or fill out our online form for your free consultation.