William Rigby


Divorce and other family disputes can take a toll on you. When your financial future and marital status are at stake it can be quite intimidating. People that get divorced and are looking at Michigan child custody laws need to realize it can be tough for both parents. When children are involved it can be both stressful and emotional.

As with other states, Michigan child custody law has different directions that can be persued. There is physical custody. This is where the Child is physically living. To be considered under the Michigan child custody law the child or children and parents or parent have to live in Michigan. Legal custody in Michigan child custody laws gives the parent who has legal custody the right to make decisions about school, religion and many other factors of a Childs life.

There is joint custody where each parent is responsible for the decisions in the Childs life. Both parents are responsible for the support of the child. This is determined by the financial means of both parents. Be aware the joint custody does not do away with a parent’s responsibility of child support. Child support is determined by the courts.

What is usually the case is the parent that has physical custody of the child ends up getting child support payments. This can be off set if you have physical custody of the child and owe alimony. You will just get less or not have to pay anything for child support if is equal to the alimony you are going to get. If you are getting 500.00 in child support but owe 500.00 in alimony. These will offset and no money will change hands.

The money for child support and alimony can be taken from your pay checks. It can also be deducted from you income tax refunds. This is probably the best way to handle this as the court will have a record of how much you have paid and are continuing to pay.

In Michigan child custody law the two parents can also enter into a shared agreement. This would be the preferred way to go. Both parents need to take into consideration that putting their differences aside and working together will be in the best interest for the child. Mom and Dad share custody. One may have the child during the week. The other in the summer. They may split weekends and holidays.

There is a Sole custody agreement too. In this type the parents usually have a reason for doing this. Mom or dad may not be able to watch and supervise the kids whatever reason. No matter what the reason, The best interest of the kids need to be kept in mind.