Monday, June 24, 2019

CHANGING CHILD CUSTODY. Attorney Terry Bankert (810) 235-1970

#FLINT#GENESEE#Michigan ISSUE- CHANGING CUSTODY
"Where a current order governs the custody of a minor child, the party moving to modify that order must prove “either proper cause or a change of circumstances sufficient to warrant
reconsideration of the custody decision.” Gerstenschalger v Gerstenschalger, 292 Mich App.654, 657; 808 NW2d 811 (2011)."
Presented here by Terry Bankert Flint Family Law Lawyer, (810 235-1970 www.attorneybankert.com
"[T]o establish “proper cause” necessary to revisit a custody order, a movant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence the existence of an appropriate ground for legal action to be taken by the trial court. The appropriate ground(s) should be
relevant to at least one of the twelve statutory best interest factors, and must be of such magnitude to have a significant effect on the child’s well-being. . . . "
" * * *[T]o establish a “change of circumstances,” a movant must prove that, since the entry of the last custody order, the conditions surrounding custody of the child,
which have or could have a significant effect on the child’s well-being, have materially changed. . . ."
" [T]he evidence must demonstrate something more than
the normal life changes (both good and bad) that occur during the life of a child, and there must be at least some evidence that the material changes have had or will almost certainly have an effect on the child. This too will be a determination
made on the basis of the facts of each case, with the relevance of the facts presented being gauged by the statutory best interest factors. [Vodvarka v
Grasmeyer, 259 Mich App 499, 512-514; 675 NW2d 847 (2003)."
"If the movant establishes proper cause or a change in circumstances, the court may modify an established custody order if the court determines that the modification is in the child’s
best interests. MCL 722.27(c); Dailey v Kloenhamer, 291 Mich App 660, 665; 811 NW2d 501
(2011)."
“When a modification would change the established custodial environment of a child, the moving party must show by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the child’s best
interest.” Shade v Wright, 291 Mich App 17, 23; 805 NW2d 1 (2010)."
“If the proposed change does not change the established custodial environment, however, the burden is on the parent
proposing the change to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the change is in the child’s best interests.” Id."
" If the movant does not establish proper cause or a change in
circumstances, the trial court may not revisit the current custody order. Dailey, 291 Mich App at
666-667."
(Source; Unpublished Michigan Court Of Appeals 6/11/19, No 346335)

Sphere: Related Content