Child Custody for Men

Michigan Attorneys Helping Men with Child Custody and Visitation Issues

If you feel your child will be better off in your custody, you need to assert your rights as their father. At Gordon & Shaw, PLC, a law firm for men in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we never assume that the mother is the best child custody candidate. We clearly present the reasons why you should be granted custody of your children to the family court.

Sound and Informed Decision-Making

The middle of a divorce can be a difficult time to make custody and visitation decisions. Nevertheless, the choices you make about custody today will affect you and your family for years to come.

Our lawyers help you sort through all the issues that affect child custody, explain your options, and help you decide upon the best course of action. Contact us to learn more.

Best Interests of the Child

When determining the child custody arrangement, the court will consider the best interest of the child. As enumerated in Michigan statutes, the courts will consider 12 factors:

• Love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the parties and the child.
• The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to give the child love, affection, guidance, continuation of the education and raising of the child in its religion or creed, if any.
• The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care or other remedial care recognized and permitted under the laws of this state in place of medical care, and other material needs.
• The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment, and the desirability of maintaining continuity.
• The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes.
• The moral fitness of the parties involved.
• The mental and physical health of the parties involved.
• The home, school, and community record of the child.
• The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient age to express preference.
• The willingness and ability of each of the parents to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent.
• Domestic violence, regardless of whether the violence was directed against or witnessed by the child.
• Any other factor considered by the court to be relevant to a particular child custody dispute.

We help clients clearly understand the impact of these factors.

Developing Parenting Plans for Fathers

Too many men assume there is nothing they can do to gain physical custody of their children. This simply isn't true. We will help you develop an appropriate parenting plan that will protect your rights and also provide your children with a healthy and happy environment for the future.

Whatever level of custody you want, we will help you through the process so that you understand your obligations now and into the future. Your rights as a father are at stake. For more information about child custody, please view our Child Custody Information Center. To schedule an appointment, please contact Gordon & Shaw, PLC.