Child Custody in West Michigan: How Judges Decide Parenting Time
When parents separate or divorce in Michigan, one of the most important, and often most emotional decisions involves child custody and parenting time. If you live in Grand Rapids, Holland, Allegan, or surrounding West Michigan communities, understanding how Michigan courts decide custody can help you prepare for the process and protect your relationship with your children.
At Legacy Legal & Business Services, PLC, our family law attorney guides parents through custody cases with compassion and clarity. Here’s what you need to know.
Legal Custody vs. Physical Custody in Michigan
In Michigan, custody has two components:
- Legal Custody – The right to make major decisions about your child’s life (education, healthcare, religion).
- Physical Custody – Where the child lives on a day-to-day basis.
Parents can share joint custody or one parent may have sole custody if it’s in the child’s best interests.
The “Best Interests of the Child” Standard
Michigan law (MCL 722.23) requires judges to base custody decisions on the best interests of the child. There are 12 factors the court will consider, including:
- The emotional ties between the child and parents
- Each parent’s capacity to provide love, guidance, and education
- The child’s home, school, and community environment
- The stability of each parent’s home
- The moral fitness of the parents
- The mental and physical health of the parents
- The child’s preference (if old enough and mature enough)
🔗 For more details on how Michigan family courts operate, visit our Child Custody Services page.
How Parenting Time Is Determined in West Michigan
Courts in Kent County, Ottawa County, and Allegan County typically encourage frequent and continuing contact with both parents—unless there are safety concerns.
Parenting time schedules can include:
- Alternating weeks
- Weekdays with one parent, weekends with the other
- Split weeks (e.g., Mon–Wed with one parent, Thu–Sun with the other)
- Custom schedules based on work and school needs
Friend of the Court’s Role in Custody Cases
In most West Michigan counties, the Friend of the Court (FOC) plays a major role in custody cases. They may:
- Investigate and make recommendations
- Facilitate mediation between parents
- Help enforce existing parenting time orders
If you disagree with an FOC recommendation, you have the right to file objections and request a hearing before the judge.
Tips for Parents Preparing for a Custody Case
- Document your involvement in your child’s life (school, medical appointments, extracurricular activities)
- Keep communication with your co-parent respectful and child-focused
- Be flexible—judges value parents who put the child’s needs first
- Seek legal guidance early to avoid mistakes that could hurt your case
Why Work with a Local Child Custody Attorney
Child custody cases are deeply personal and legally complex. A West Michigan child custody lawyer can:
- Advocate for your parental rights
- Negotiate fair parenting time arrangements
- Represent you in Friend of the Court hearings and court trials
At Legacy Legal & Business Services, PLC, we’ve helped parents across Grand Rapids, Holland, Zeeland, and Allegan protect their relationships with their children.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you’re facing a custody dispute or want to modify an existing parenting time order, we’re here to help.
Serving clients in Kent County, Ottawa County, Allegan County, and all of West Michigan. Call us today at (616) 681-0100 or visit our website www.legacylegalbusiness.com to schedule a free confidential consultation.