Michigan Child Custody Legal Questions

Provide a strong presence in their lives, continue to pay support is required by the court, take every opportunity for visitation or parenting time. Then, following deployment, seek reasonable expansion of parenting time and custody rights. He should presently have joint legal custody. Consulting with and attorney to make and implement plans is the wisest present course of action.... Read More

Without some court order, you don't have any rights. You may have grounds for an Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights against the birth father to be followed by a step-parent adoption. I strongly suggest you consult a capable family law attorney in your locality to advise and represent you. It's almost always worth the investment.... Read More

If you have sole legal custody you can name you child anything you like. To limit or restrict his visits with the child you'll have to seek an order from the judicial officer who first signed the order which set up the present regime. If he is not following the court orders regarding payment of medical bills, you can move to have him held in contempt of court. It's best to find a skilled matrimonial lawyer in your locality to advise and represent you. It's almost always worth the investment.... Read More

Maybe an experienced matrimonial lawyer in your locality knows how to do so. Nowadays it is not hard to obtain DNA from a recently deceased person, since the pathologists will keep and store blood. I don't think this was frequently done 19 years ago but it might have been. Check with the hospital where he died, if he died in hospital. If not, there may have been an autopsy required under State law. In that case, find and check with the pathologist who conducted the autopsy. Good Luck.... Read More

Your sister should immediately engage an attorney, provide all the details and act upon the advice which is given. Domestic violence is one of the factors which is considered in the custody and parenting time determinations. Be aware that the courts generally seek to maintain the relationship of both parents with the children and therefore exclusive custody is quite unlikely. It always worries me when relatives are seeking counsel and advice and not the person who clearly requires it. Your sister needs to engage an attorney now. If you wish to help her, and she cannot afford an attorney, you might consider blending her the money to get things rolling.... Read More