Michigan Child Custody Legal Questions

While expressing no opinion on whether emancipation is a good idea for you or not, get educated on the process on what you would have to do. The link below has a summary of the process you would have to go through in court, what factors the court would look at, and links to the forms that would need to be filled out and filed with probate court.... Read More

The father's parents have no legal rights to the newborn. But that does not mean they might not try to take her. Be certain to notify your obstetrician AND the hospital personnel that you do NOT consent to anyone's bringing the child away from the hospital except yourself. You might want to put it in a letter sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. If you are feeling insecure anyway, notify the local police and the security office at the hospital as well.... Read More

First things first: locate a skilled family law attorney in your locality. It's almost always worth the expense. Presenting arguments in a custody dispute really requires someone with courtroom skills, whether or not the other parent is represented. Generally speaking the question to answer is what arrangement t is in the best interest of the child. This is not something most people are capable of proving, let alone doing so in the specialized atmosphere of the court.... Read More

You need an attorney, and you have to answer his litigation or you will lose by default. There is no guarantee that you will have sole custody, joint custody, or any custody of your child but the chances are significantly in your favor under the circumstances you have portrayed. Most likely you will have primary physical custody and joint legal custody, and he will have an obligation for child support when the whole thing sorts out. It is most likely that the father will be allowed some parenting time as the courts generally seek to respect both parents legal and moral rights.... Read More

First things first: retain an experienced family law attorney who will likely advise you to file a petition for termination of parental rights. While the laws vary from state to state, in most of them abandonment of the child (meaning no contact or effort to contact the child or contact you about the child) is a good ground for termination of parental rights. And when there is a step-parent to step in and adopt the child, the courts are more or less overjoyed. If you cannot serve the father at his last known address, you can usually serve him by publication, in the official newspaper for legal notices in your area, and in the newspaper of general circulation or official appointment in the place where he last lived, if you know it. Good Luck.... Read More