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Responding to a Custody Case (Unmarried Parents)

For complete results, pick the county where your case is (or will be) filed. If your legal problem doesn't involve court, pick the county where you live now.

Learn about being a defendant in a case for custody, parenting time, and child support if you are not married to your child's other parent.

Articles

Being a Defendant in a Custody Case

Have you been served with custody papers? If so, you are the Defendant in a custody case. Read this article to learn what to expect in the custody process and how you can respond.
Overview of a Michigan Custody Case

This article is about a custody case between a child's parents. Read this article to learn whether you can file a custody case and what gets decided in the case.
Custody and Parenting Time

A custody and parenting time order may be granted as part of a divorce case, custody case, or other type of family court case. Custody and parenting time are important decisions that affect where your children live, how often they see each parent, and who makes important decisions for them. Read this article to learn how custody and parenting time decisions are made.
The "Best Interests of the Child" Factors

There are 12 factors for judges to use when deciding what custody arrangements are in the best interests of the child. These factors are called the "best interests of the child" factors. Judges use these factors to decide who children live with, who makes decisions for children, and how much time children spend with each parent.
Child Support in a Nutshell

Child support is a parent’s court-ordered payment to help with the costs of raising a child. Child support normally includes a base amount, plus amounts for health and child care costs. Child support can be ordered in a paternity or custody case (if the parents were never married), in a divorce case, or as a support case.
Friend of the Court Overview

Do you have children and are getting a divorce? Or are you involved in a child support, paternity, or custody case with your child’s other parent? If so, you will probably be involved with the Friend of the Court. This article explains what the Friend of the Court is, when it may become involved in your case, and what to expect when it does.
Mediation and Other Forms of Settlement

Mediation is a settlement process that can help you resolve “contested” issues (things you and the other party don’t agree on) in your court case.
Settlement and Negotiation Strategies
Are you interested in settling your legal dispute outside of the courtroom? This article will give you some information about the settlement process and simple tips for communicating and negotiating with the other party (or their lawyer).
Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry

The State of Michigan keeps a list of people who have abused or neglected children, called the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry. Read this article to learn more about how names get on or off this list.
CPS and Your Family

When Child Protective Services (CPS) gets involved with your family, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Read this article to learn more about the role of CPS and about the child removal process.
Ex Parte Orders in Family Court

Read this article if you need an emergency order in family court, or if an ex parte order was entered against you and you want to object to it.
Changing a Custody Order

A child custody order is not permanent. The court can change it. Read this article to learn more about how a custody order can be changed.

Instructions

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Forms

Do-It-Yourself Answer and Counterclaim for Custody

Use this tool to draft forms to respond when your child's other parent has filed a Complaint for Custody. Do not use this form if your spouse has filed for divorce.

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