Establishing Child Custody

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Establishing Child Custody

Coming To A Decision On Child Custody

When parents divorce or separate, a decision needs to be made about where their child’s primary household will be and which parent will be their primary caregiver. In most cases, joint custody arrangements are preferred because they offer the best chance at preserving important family relationships. But in some cases, different arrangements may be necessary.

  • Prenuptial And Postnuptial Agreements
  • Navigating Divorce
  • Establishing Child Custody
  • Modifying A Court Order

Serving Clients In Oakland County And Throughout Southeast Michigan

For more than six decades, the attorneys at Bebout, Potere, Cox & Bennion, P.C., have provided compassionate counsel on a variety of family law issues, including the establishment and enforcement of child custody orders.

We can help you address:

  • Establishment of paternity
  • Custody arrangements
  • Parenting time
  • Visitation schedules
  • Child support setup and enforcement
  • Court order modifications

Living Trust (Revocable Trust)

From simple to more complicated living trusts, this type of trust offers a number of benefits to people making an estate plan. For starters, living trusts make it possible to manage the distribution of assets to beneficiaries by controlling when and how the assets may be distributed. Unlike a will, living trusts do not pass through public probate, making the process private.

Enforcing A Custody Order

While parents may encounter issues on the front end when establishing a custody agreement, issues may also arise later on if a mother or father is not honoring the arrangement. Issues such as those below can oftentimes lead to disputes that may require the help of an attorney and the courts:

Custody Issues Concerning Military Families

Child custody issues can arise for military service members as well, especially when a service member needs to relocate or they have a work schedule that interferes with an existing visitation schedule. In these cases, it’s best to talk to a family law attorney with experience handling family law issues caused by military service, because they can walk you through the process of getting a custody agreement modified to meet the needs of the family.

We're Here To Help – Call Us Today

Whether we’re helping you establish a child custody agreement or addressing more serious issues, such as the termination of parental rights, the skilled and compassionate lawyers at Bebout, Potere, Cox & Bennion, P.C., are here to help. We pride ourselves on giving you the personal attention you need during a challenging legal situation and we will make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions.

If you’d like to schedule a free 30-minute initial consultation with one of our attorneys, call our Rochester office at 248-651-4114. We serve clients in nearby Rochester Hills, throughout Oakland County and surrounding areas in Southeast Michigan. We accept credit cards.

FAQs

Child custody refers to the legal determination of where a child will live and who will make important decisions about their upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religion. Custody can be classified as physical custody (where the child lives) and legal custody (who has the right to make decisions on behalf of the child).

Child custody is determined based on the best interests of the child. Factors considered include the child’s age, health, emotional ties to each parent, the parents’ ability to provide for the child’s needs, and any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. Courts may also consider the child's preferences if they are old enough to express them.

There are several types of custody arrangements, including:

  • Sole Custody: One parent has both physical and legal custody of the child.
  • Joint Custody: Both parents share physical and/or legal custody.
  • Physical Custody: Determines where the child lives.
  • Legal Custody: Determines who makes important decisions regarding the child’s welfare.

Yes, parents can negotiate custody arrangements through mediation or collaborative law. It’s encouraged to reach an agreement that works for both parties and is in the child’s best interest, which can then be submitted to the court for approval.

Child support is often tied to custody arrangements. The parent with primary physical custody may receive child support from the non-custodial parent to help cover the child's living expenses. The amount of support is typically determined by state guidelines and may be influenced by the parents’ incomes and custody arrangement.