CHILD CUSTODY. WHAT IS IT?
Child custody is most often described by two concepts. The first is “legal custody.” Michigan encourages judges to award joint legal custody to parents. This means that both parents would have a right to make decisions concerning such things as their child’s education, medical treatment, religious training or enrichment activities. The court also has the power to award “physical custody” of the child to one or both parents. In establishing custody, the court reviews all of the facts that are presented, and then determines where the child will primarily live based on what the court believes will be in the best interests of the child using 12 best interest factors: a) The love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the parties involved and the child. b) The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to give the child love, affection, and guidance and to continue the education and raising of the child is his or her religion or creed, if any. c) The capacity and dispos
