There are a variety of different components of child custody that must be determined during the divorce process. This includes physical and legal custody of the child. A variety of different factors are considered when determining child custody in Michigan that divorcing parents should be familiar with.
Factors used to determine child custody in Michigan
Different factors are considered to determine what child custody arrangement would be best for the child. These factors are used to determine what is in the best interests of the child including:
- The love, affection and emotional ties between the parents and child;
- The capacity and disposition of the parents to provide the child with love, affection and guidance and continue the education of the child and the child’s religious training in the child’s religion;
- The capacity and disposition of the parents to provide the child with food, clothing, shelter and care;
- The permanence of the exiting home for the child or proposed home for the child;
- The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity in that stable environment;
- The moral fitness of the parents;
- The mental and physical health of the parents;
- The home, school and community record of the child;
- The reasonable preference of the child, taking into the age of the child;
- The willingness of the parents to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the child’s other parent;
- Any history of domestic violence; and
- Any other factor the court considers relevant to the custody of the child and what child custody arrangement is best for the child.
To be able to negotiate a child custody arrangement that is best for the child and works for the family, it is helpful for parents to be familiar with the basis upon which child custody is evaluated. This can help guide them through their own child custody process.
