Child Custody

The term child custody really comprises three separate issues - legal custody, physical custody and parenting time schedules (Previously known as visitation schedules).

Legal custody means the right to make major lifetime decisions for your child. It allows you to have input on decisions affecting your child's health care, education, religion and overall welfare. Most often, courts will award joint legal custody to both parents.

Physical custody refers to where your child resides most of the time. The terms "sole custody" or "primary custody" essentially means the same thing - they both refer to the parent who provides the child's principal home.

Parenting time schedules list the detailed decisions as to when the child will spend time with each parent. They typically cover at least three separate areas - your child's school year schedule, vacation schedule and holidays. By Michigan law, every parent is entitled to a specific visitation schedule, and the court will enforce the schedule if necessary. Some parents prefer to handle parenting time more informally, without a detailed schedule. Because each family has its own unique needs, this is not an area where "one size fits all."