In Michigan, each county sets their own gudelines that parents must follow with respect to having visitation with their kids. Residents of Wayne County, Michigan, are expected to follow Court of Common Pleas Title 18 rules.
Under these rules, both parents are expected to enjoy liberal visitation with their shared child. Whatever schedule is agreed to must be reasonable for the number of children involved, how old they are and have one parent that lives to the next. Any agreed-to schedules should seek to give both parents ample enough time with their child and to limit the exchange of them back and forth.
In split custody situations, the court may be asked to step in and make a determination as to what type of visitation is fair and equal. When this occurs, a judge will aim to keep siblings together so that they can enjoy each other’s company and bond during these sessions.
This rule also calls for parents to put the needs of their children first when devising visitation schedules.
One of the most basic visitation schedules the court recommends is an alternating weekend one. This allows a child to be dropped off at the other parent’s home at 6 p.m. on a Friday and to not be picked up until the same time 48 hours later on Sunday.
If parents agree to this schedule, then the court requires that the nonresidental parent be given a single opportunity to enjoy visitation with their child during the week on Wednesdays. This should take place between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The court also recognizes seven holidays including Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Easter, President’s Day and Martin Luther King Day. Factors that will determine who gets the kids for that holiday include whether it’s an odd or even year.
They also have rules in place for when the turnover of the kids must occur. There are also specific guidelines surrounding how Christmas Eve and Day should be handled as well.
How couples divide up custody during the week, on weekends and holidays is far more involved, especially if a judge is called in to decide as opposed to a couple making decisions for themselves.
If you’re struggling to reach an agreement with your ex over visitation with your children, then a Trenton attorney can guide you through the process.
Source: Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, “Title 18: Parenting time, companionship and visitation schedules,” accessed May 18, 2018