Michigan

Wayne Oakland Macomb Counties


DIVORCE & CHILD CUSTODY DEFINITIONS


CASE NUMBER
The case number is the number assigned to a case. This number is the same for the friend of the court case and the court case. The case number usually includes the year the case started. The case number remains the same until the case is closed.

CHIEF JUDGE
Chief Judge: In courts with two or more judges, one judge is selected as chief judge. The chief judge is the director of the administration of the court.

CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT
Child abuse/neglect is the mistreatment (physical, mental, or emotional abuse) of a minor by an adult. Reports of suspected child abuse should be reported to the county Family Independence Agency, Office of Children Protective Services, in the county where the suspected
abuse occurred.

CHILD CUSTODY ACT
This law states how custody of a child is to be determined and includes the 12 factors the judge uses to decide custody and parenting time. The same 12 factors are usually addressed by the friend of the court when completing a custody evaluation and report.

CHILD SUPPORT
Child support is the payment of money for the support of a child in a Divorce, Paternity, or Family Support Act proceeding. Support includes but is not limited to health care, child care, and educational expenses.

PARENTING TIME
Parenting time is time set aside by court order for a parent and child to spend together in the absence of a contrary agreement by the parties. Michigan law recognizes that it is in the best interests of the child that parenting time occur in a frequency, duration, and type reasonably calculated to promote a strong relationship between the child and the parent. To this end, parenting time should be on a regular schedule with specific consistent starting and ending times for the ease of the parties and child in planning their schedules.

PRO-PER MOTIONS (DISTRIBUTED BY THE FRIEND OF THE COURT)
A Pro-Per Motion is a formal written request to the judge to modify an order by someone who is not represented by an attorney. The motion must be filed with the court and served on the other parent.

TEMPORARY ORDER
A temporary order: Before a final order is signed by judges they may sign a document that determines temporary custody, parenting time, and child support.

TESTIMONY
Testimony is the statement of a witness under oath which is given as evidence.

WITNESS
A witness is a person who testifies to what that person knows, seen, heard, or otherwise Observed.



DIVORCE LAWYER IN TRENTON


TRENTON - DEARBORN - northville - Sterling Hts


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