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Understanding Parenting Time:
Parenting time, also known as custodial time or visitation, answers the question: When will the child spend time with each parent?
Typical Parenting Time Schedules:
- School Year: Parents often create a schedule that covers a two-week period, typically including some weekdays and alternating weekends.
- Holidays/Breaks: Exceptions to the regular schedule are made to accommodate school breaks and holidays, with consideration for religious observances.
- Summer: Some parents continue the school year plan, while others create a different summer schedule.
Changing Orders:
Parenting time orders can be modified if circumstances change.
Factors Judges Consider
- Special circumstances or needs
- Age of a nursing child
- Likelihood of abuse or neglect
- Travel inconvenience
- History of utilizing parenting time
- Threats to detain or conceal the child
- Any other relevant factors
Judges also consider:
- The child's current environment
- Factors that may favor one parent, including:
- Emotional ties with the child
- Ability to provide love, affection, and guidance, including religious training
- Ability to meet the child's needs
- Stability and continuity of the home environment
- Permanence of family units
- Moral fitness of the parents
- Mental and physical health of the parents
- The child's home, school, and community record
- The child's reasonable preference
- Willingness and ability to foster a close parent-child relationship
- History of domestic violence
- Any other relevant factors
Sarnacki Law Firm has extensive experience in all aspects of parenting time. We create customized parenting time schedules tailored to the needs of both the child and the parents.
Supervised Parenting Time:
This ensures the child’s safety when less restrictive methods aren’t suitable. There are three types:
- Agency Supervision: Used in cases of abuse, substance abuse, or domestic violence, this occurs in designated facilities that typically have strict rules designed to protect the children. These rules may include no whispering or discussing adult issues.
- Third-Party Supervision: Monitored by an approved friend, relative, or court-chosen individual, aiming to transition to unsupervised parenting time.
- Therapeutic Parenting Time: Involves therapy to re-establish a relationship after long absences, with goals like passing drug tests.
Common Parenting Time Issues:
- Clothing: Both parents should provide adequate clothing, and specialty items should be returned clean.
- Transportation: The parent with parenting time usually provides transportation unless otherwise agreed.
- Arguments: Avoid discussing adult issues or showing disrespect.
- Medical Needs: Share all medications and instructions.
- Denying Parenting Time: Encourage time with the other parent; do not deny for minor reasons.
- Extracurricular Activities: Cooperate to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Special Considerations:
Special arrangements may be needed for long-distance parenting time, institutionalized parents, parents with medical issues, or third-party placements.
In Michigan, grandparents can seek court-ordered time with the child. These situations can be challenging and may require proving that both parents are unfit.
Contact Us Today
Sarnacki Law Firm is here to help persuade the judge to meet your child's needs and customize your parenting time schedule. Contact our Grand Rapids divorce and family law firm for a consultation to discuss your situation and goals.
