Four Reasons Why Parents Can Lose Custody In Michigan

Your ability to spend time with your children means more than just about anything. The precious moments of their childhood cannot be replaced or rewound. Unfortunately, having to share those moments with your ex may create problems. When these issues pop up, you may end up in a courtroom in front of a judge deciding your custody case. Because your custody rights can be decided by the court, there is always a risk that you could lose time with your kids. To protect your rights, it is recommended that you educate yourself on the reasons why parents can lose custody of their children and put yourself in the best position to be in your child’s life for the foreseeable future.

1. Trying Your Case Without A Lawyer
Once your custody case ends up in court, it is no longer simply a dispute between two parents. It is now considered a legal matter. If you had no background in construction, then you would not attempt to build a deck on your own. You would likely hire a contractor. Similarly, since you are not a lawyer, you really should not try to put on a legal case without the services of an experienced family law attorney. To be sure, if your ex has an attorney and you do not, then the chances of you coming out on top in your custody case are extremely unlikely.

2. Missing Your Court Date
Not showing up to your custody court date can have a devastating effect on your case and your custody rights. Unless you have an extremely good reason for not appearing, then it is likely that the judge hearing your case will simply grant whatever your ex is asking for. What this means is that if your ex* is asking for full custody and you do not show up for your hearing, then you could be stuck with a custody order that provides you with zero rights to see your kids.

3. Lack Of Housing
Children need a stable living environment to thrive. If you cannot provide your kids with a consistent and safe place to live, then you will likely have a challenging time retaining your custody rights. While it may be possible for you to have supervised visitation, not having stable housing will likely prevent you from having overnight visits and establishing a permanent bond with your little ones.

4. Drug And Alcohol Abuse
In deciding your custody case, the judge will base the decision on what is in the best interest of your children. If you have a substance abuse issue, a judge will certainly consider that when evaluating your fitness as a parent. Again, a parent with a drug problem may be granted supervised visits, but it is unlikely that they will be awarded anything more until it can be shown that they have received treatment and remain sober.

Michigan Child Custody Attorney
Michigan’s laws on child custody are complex. To ensure that your rights to your children are protected, it is important for you to discuss your situation with a Michigan child custody attorney. Law Offices of Ravi R. Gurumurthy, PLC has substantial experience with child custody, child support, divorce, and other family law matters. When you consult with us, we’ll help ensure that you are fully aware of your legal options and what steps to take considering your situation. Reach out to Law Offices of Ravi R. Gurumurthy, PLC by calling (231) 577-1580 or by contacting us online.