Parenting Time in Michigan

Parenting time refers to the amount of time each parent spends with the child(ren). Decisions about parenting time made by the court are based on the best interest of the child(ren). The factors examined in setting a parenting time schedule are:

The court may consider the following factors when determining the frequency, duration, and type of parenting time to be granted:

  • The existence of any special circumstances or needs of the child.
  • Whether the child is a nursing child less than 6 months of age, or less than 1 year of age if the child receives substantial nutrition through nursing.
  • The reasonable likelihood of abuse or neglect of the child during parenting time.
  • The reasonable likelihood of abuse of a parent resulting from the exercise of parenting time.
  • The inconvenience to, and burdensome impact or effect on, the child of traveling for purposes of parenting time.
  • Whether a parent can reasonably be expected to exercise parenting time in accordance with the court order.
  • Whether a parent has frequently failed to exercise reasonable parenting time.
  • The threatened or actual detention of the child with the intent to retain or conceal the child from the other parent or from a third person who has legal custody. A custodial parent’s temporary residence with the child in a domestic violence shelter shall not be construed as evidence of the custodial parent’s intent to retain or conceal the child from the other parent.
  • Any other relevant factors.

MCLS § 722.27a

When one parent wishes to change parenting time, that parent may file a motion with the court to change parenting time. When a parent asks for a change of parenting time the court must consider the child(ren)’s established custodial environment and whether there has been a change of circumstance.

DAWN’s family law and divorce attorneys are here to help you with your parenting time issues.

Family Law Practice Areas