SMILE
SMILE – (Start Making It Livable For Everyone) is the Oakland County Friend of the Court’s 2-hour educational program for divorcing parents with minor children. The program assists parents to…
Parenting Time
Parenting Time – the right of a parent of court-ordered access to minor a minor child. Courts are required to order a parenting time schedule that promotes a strong relationship…
Divorce
DIVORCE – a legal proceeding to end a valid marriage. The only ground for divorce in Michigan is the no-fault ground, i.e., “there has been a breakdown of the marriage…
Custody
CUSTODY – the care and control of a minor child awarded by the court to a parent (or both parents for joint custody) in a case for divorce, separate maintenance,…
Best Interests of the Child
BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD Michigan law requires judges to consider only “the best interests of the child” in deciding contested custody cases. MCL 722.23 defines “the best interests of…