Michigan Parental Rights

Family Law in Muskegon Michigan

Child Custody and Parenting Time Lawyers

West & West’s Compassionate Approach

Divorce may be one of the most difficult journeys a family can experience – a challenging time for both the parents and their kids.  Lives will be changed, complicated by confusion, emotions, and stress.  There are so many variables and circumstances in each divorce case that they cannot be categorized into just a few examples.  West & West Law works with each unique case with a caring and compassionate approach.

Child Custody and Parenting Time (Visitation) are important features of the divorce process and it takes a skilled divorce lawyer to successfully represent these types of delicate cases.

Attorney Kathrine West can guide you in determining a parental visitation schedule and establishing new arrangements and routines for your children.  By working with Kathrine, you have the best chance of achieving the most favorable outcome.

Kathrine West – an Experienced Family Law Attorney

West & West Law, a Muskegon-based law firm, provides services for Divorce in Michigan, a no-fault state. Attorney Kathrine West has 25 years of legal experience. She has built her reputation on successful results and premier service. While aggressive in the courtroom, she takes a caring and compassionate approach while working with and representing her clients. Kathrine and her legal team handle all family law issues, both in and out of court, which includes these critical life-changing issues:

Navigating through a divorce can be very difficult for all members of a family, especially for children.  Kathrine and her legal team at West & West Law are sympathetic to each client’s situation and take measures to reduce the amount of stress and conflict that can arise throughout a highly personal and emotionally charged process. Family members can experience hurt, frustration, anxiety, and fear.  Her goal is to direct you through the complex legal process of divorce while managing the least amount of burdens on you and your family during a difficult time.

As her client, Kathrine understands that you will have many questions about the divorce process or other family law-related matters, and she will take the time necessary to answer them.  Your needs and concerns are a priority to the West & West legal team at all times.

Michigan Family Court Determination Factors

To determine custody, the court will consider your family’s situation based on many factors that the state of Michigan has adopted. There are 12 factors or (bests interests of the child) that Michigan Family Courts use to make their determination regarding Child Custody.

(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 in his or her religion or creed, if any.

(c)   The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care or other remedial care recognized and permitted under the laws of this state in place of medical care, and other material needs.

(d)   The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment, and the desirability of maintaining continuity.

(e)   The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes.

(f)   The moral fitness of the parties involved.

(g)   The mental and physical health of the parties involved.

(h)   The home, school, and community record of the child.

(i)   The reasonable preference of the child, if the court considers the child to be of sufficient age to express preference.

(j)   The willingness and ability of each of the parties to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent or the child and the parents. A court may not consider negatively for the purposes of this factor any reasonable action taken by a parent to protect a child or that parent from sexual assault or domestic violence by the child’s other parent.

(k)   Domestic violence, regardless of whether the violence was directed against or witnessed by the child.

(l)   Any other factor considered by the court to be relevant to a particular child custody dispute.

The time a non-custodial parent is allowed with their child/children is often referred to as Child Visitation.  In the state of Michigan, it officially referred to as Parenting Time. There is no set formula for a parenting time schedule. Kathrine has the experience to design practical parenting time agreements. She listens to your needs and focuses on your family’s specific situation including after school activities, work schedules and transportation issues in order to design a plan that works for your family. Working with a seasoned family divorce Attorney can be the difference for a parenting time plan that will meet your child’s and your family’s best interests.

Attorney Kathrine West understands how the Michigan courts work and if you and your spouse cannot agree on a parenting time plan, she will aggressively litigate to obtain an order that is in your best interest and importantly, in the best interests of your children.

Choose the Right Divorce Legal Team

When your family difficulties turn into a family crisis, you need an experienced and compassionate family law attorney to advise and protect you.  Kathrine is recognized throughout West Michigan as a leader in the field of family law and as a zealous advocate for her clients.  West & West Law offers a combination of experience, knowledge, and a successful track record, paired with compassion and understanding necessary to meet the needs of your unique family law challenges

West & West Law will be with you every step of the way.

Isn’t that what you and your family deserve in securing a divorce attorney?

To schedule a consultation, please call 231-725-0000. Visa and MasterCard are accepted as forms of payment. Evening, off-site and weekend consultations can be scheduled upon request.

Child Custody & Parenting Time