Child Custody Attorney in Clinton Township

If there is one thing worth fighting for during a divorce in Clinton Township, it is the custody of your children. Your marriage may be over – but that does not mean you need to sever important family ties with your young ones. Most parents agree that custody is the top priority after a divorce. Splitting up the assets may be important, but time with your children is priceless. Fortunately, you can get all the help you need in your upcoming custody battle with Iafrate & Salassa, P.C. But how exactly can a lawyer help in this situation? How is custody handled in Michigan? Let’s find out:

Fighting for Your Child’s Best Interests

When you approach a custody battle in Michigan, it is important to keep your child’s best interests in mind. This might seem fairly obvious as a parent, but that term has a very specific meaning in the legal world. The court considers several pre-set factors when determining a child’s best interests. These factors vary, but they have one thing in common: Each factor focuses on the child and not the needs and desires of the parent. This means that the fact that you want or need to spend time with your child after the divorce is completely irrelevant. For best results, you need to build your legal arguments around these factors:

• Emotional ties: How strong is the emotional connection between parent and child? This is one of the most important things that courts consider. 
• Religion and education: To what extent is the parent committed to continuing the child’s current educational and religious needs?

• The child’s basic needs: Is the parent able to provide the most basic needs for the children?

• The child’s environment: What kind of environment might a child experience when staying with their parents? Will it be safe? Healthy?

• The family unit: What is the state of the family unit that surrounds each parent – including grandparents, new partners, etc.?

• Moral fitness: Has either parent engaged in any morally dubious behavior, such as substance abuse? 

• Health: Does either parent have health issues that may prevent them from caring for their children?

• Community: Does the child have ties to their local community? Would these ties be affected by a potential custody plan?

• Preference: Is the child mentally mature enough to express a preference when it comes to custody? If so, what is their preference?

• Alienation: Is there a risk of one parent alienating their children from another parent?

• Domestic violence: Is there any past evidence of domestic violence against the children or other members of the household?

In addition, the court may consider “any other factor” they believe to be relevant on a case-by-case basis, which leaves the door open for all kinds of situations.

Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Custody Attorney in Clinton Township?

If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced custody attorney in Clinton Township, look no further than Iafrate & Salassa, P.C. Over the years, we have helped numerous divorcing spouses strive for the best possible results in a confident, efficient manner. We know how important it is for parents to spend enough time with their little ones after a divorce. With our help, you can fight for your parental rights and your child’s best interests. Book your consultation today to get started.