Tag Archives: child visitation

Grandparent Rights

Grandparent Rights: Three Standards

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We field many calls in our busy family law practice about grandparent rights. Some want to know if they can collect child support payments if they are helping raise their grandkids. Some grandparents want to know the options if they disapprove of parents’ decisions. Others wonder how to protect their relationship with the grandchildren after the parents divorce. The possible scenarios are so varied it’s difficult to address them all in one blog but there are three standards that Michigan courts take into account when considering a grandparent rights case. For more detailed information about specific cases, contact the Law Continue Reading…

Proposed Changes to Michigan Child Custody

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A look at Michigan House Bill 4691 The Michigan House Bill 4691, proposing changes to the Child Custody Act of 1970, was introduced on May 31, 2017 and has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary. (Citations below show proposed changes indicated by strikethroughs and the suggested language amendments in bold, all-caps.) The latest proposed changes to the Michigan child custody laws include the very title of the act. According to Michigan House Bill 4691 introduced by Reps. Runestad, Kelly, VanSingel, Lucido, Hauck, Cole and Tedder reads, “Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Continue Reading…

online parenting class

New for Co-Parents: Online Parenting Classes Now Available

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Online Co-Parenting Classes May Satisfy Court Requirements There are online college degrees and virtual SAT tutoring so why not on online parenting classes? The digital age has given divorcing parents a solution to the difficulty of fitting court-ordered co-parenting classes into an already over-scheduled co-parenting life. Even if you are not required to do a co-parenting class by court order, it is a great idea to learn new techniques to parent together in difficult situations. Online parenting class providers include: Course for Parents Online Parent Class Online Parenting Programs Each online parenting class provider has a different programs and costs. Continue Reading…

michigan medical marihuana

Michigan Medical Marihuana Use Shouldn’t Impact Custody

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The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act allows for citizens who have been diagnosed with specific illnesses or conditions to possess and use marihuana for treatment. The law also allows that, “A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau…” This includes custody arrangements as outlined in the following: “(c) A person shall not be denied custody or visitation Continue Reading…

grandparenting time

Grandparenting Time Allowed Under Michigan Law

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In Michigan, grandparents have the right to seek Grandparenting Time with grandkids after the parents’ divorce, legal separation or annulment if two very specific conditions are met, according to Michigan Legislature. Guidelines for Grandparenting Time Eligibility Number One – The Grandparent is only eligible for visitation time if he or she cannot have access to the grandchildren during his or her child’s custody time. To clarify, we’ll establish a common scenario using generic names. So let’s say the Grandparents are Arthur and Beatrice. Their child, Thomas, has a daughter, Anne. Arthur and Beatrice can only seek Grandparenting Time with Anne if Thomas is Continue Reading…

Disneyland Dad

Embrace the Disneyland Dad (or Mom)

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Disclaimer: Let us just say up front that we at Kathryn Wayne-Spindler & Associates know that the original term Disneyland Dad is sexist and cliché. We know moms are just as prone to spoiling their kids as dads. So for the purposes of the blog to follow let’s just be clear that we are not making a comment about the parenting priorities of an entire gender. The label simply rolls off the tongue better than “Unnamed Theme Park Parent of Unspecified Gender.” We have seen enough co-parent clients come through our office to know that all mothers and fathers, come Continue Reading…

summertime custody considerations

Summertime Custody Considerations Should Include Best Interests Factors

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Memorial Weekend and high-school graduations mark the start of summertime in Michigan. For many working parents, not much changes with the new season other than the weather. But for many lucky kids, summertime in Michigan might mean camps and S’mores, hiking trips Up North, sleepovers and softball games. For divorced families, all these activities can bring scheduling conflicts, parenting time questions and summertime custody considerations. “We handle a lot of parenting time conflicts at the start of summer because kids’ activities tend to be more spontaneous this time of the year,” says experienced South Lyon Child Custody Attorney Kathryn Wayne-Spindler. “When Continue Reading…

Michigan Custody Question

Michigan Custody Question Answered in Ask An Attorney

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White Lake Custody Attorney Kathryn Wayne-Spindler answers Michigan Custody Question Milford Family Law Attorney Kathryn Wayne-Spindler was recently featured in a West Oakland County Spinal Column News feature answering a Michigan Custody Question about the child’s role in changes to existing custody orders. She discussed what goes into a court’s decision regarding a Michigan custody question and whether a child can contribute to the decision-making. Wayne-Spindler explains that the court can opt to hear the child’s preference privately. The child’s wishes are just one of 12 factors that determine custody and visitation orders in Michigan. The others include the mental, emotional, Continue Reading…

Kathryn Wayne-Spindler answers Change of Domicile question

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Kathryn Wayne-Spindler was recently featured in the West Oakland County Spinal Column Newsweekly answering a Post-Divorce Change of Domicile question. She has years of experience handling client’s petitions to move beyond the 100-Mile limit imposed by Michigan law. Wayne-Spindler has answers to difficult Change of Domicile questions She has obtained successful judgments for clients looking to move not only farther than 100 miles, but to other states and countries as well. If you are looking for a highly-experienced attorney to handle a difficult Change of Domicile petition, Kathryn Wayne-Spindler has a great record of negotiating situations that are in the children’s best interests and highly Continue Reading…