Fathers’ Rights Litigation in Grand Rapids

Loving father carrying his son

Fathers can face unique challenges when seeking child custody and enforcing their parental rights. Society often presumes that mothers are the primary caretakers and downplays the importance of fathers’ roles. These biases can make it difficult for fathers to access equal time with their kids.

The experienced attorneys at Kraayeveld Family Law handle fathers’ rights litigation in Grand Rapids. We provide legal assistance for dads in all areas of family law. We can fight to protect your rights when seeking custody, parenting time, or arranging child support. You deserve the chance to raise your children. Let us guide you through the system.

Contact us or call (616) 383-2679 today to learn more. Our office is conveniently located at 990 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Feel free to visit us for a case evaluation!

The Role of a Fathers’ Rights Litigation Lawyer in Grand Rapids

Divorce and child custody issues can be stressful, intimidating, and complex. Ensuring the protection of your parental rights can be a challenge, especially for fathers who may face unfair assumptions or allegations regarding their parenting.

When something as important as time with your children is on the line, you can trust Kraayeveld Family Law to protect you. Our law firm has over 30 years of experience handling divorce cases, legal separations, child custody arrangements, child support issues, and family court appeals in West Michigan. Our Grand Rapids fathers’ rights lawyers are ready to manage your case with passion, determination, skill, and tenacity.

Here’s what some of our previous clients have had to say about working with our family law firm:

“The people here have treated me like a real person and have helped me get the rights as a father. I couldn’t be happier with this choice, being from out of state they have kept me up to date almost daily and really make me feel comfortable with moving forward.” – Fox

Common Legal Challenges Fathers Face in Grand Rapids Custody Battles

Michigan law considers the best interests of the child when determining custody.

The courts will examine:

  • The love, affection, and emotional ties between the parent and child
  • The capacity and disposition of a parent to provide love, affection, and guidance to the child
  • The capacity and disposition of a parent to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care, and other necessities
  • The stability and long-term reliability of a parent’s existing or proposed home
  • The physical and mental health of a parent
  • The child’s involvement in their current home, school, and community
  • The child’s preferences

Misconceptions about fatherhood can make the system seem partial to mothers. For example, society often portrays men as less able to express affection, meet a child’s emotional needs, or take a hands-on approach to parenting. For many fathers, this stereotype could not be further from the truth. However, these prejudices can make securing dads’ rights more difficult.

Common legal challenges fathers face in custody battles may include:

Sole Custody, Joint Custody, and Parenting Time

Child custody refers to each parent’s rights and responsibility for a child. Physical custody governs how much time each parent spends with the child. Legal custody establishes each parent’s legal right to make decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, including education, medical care, and religious instruction.

Fathers may have a harder time getting the custody arrangement they want, especially if the mother questions the father’s fitness as a parent or involvement in the child’s life.

Typically, in child custody proceedings, one or both parents may seek:

  • Sole custody – In Michigan, sole custody is when the court gives one parent primary physical and legal custody of a child. The court may order sole custody if it does not believe parents can work together to raise a child or believes one parent cannot provide for the child or is a danger to them.
  • Joint custody – The court must consider joint custody if either parent requests it. In addition to considering the child’s best interests, the court will consider whether the parents can work together to execute a parenting plan. Joint custody arrangements can include joint physical custody, joint legal custody, or a combination of both.
  • Parenting time – This term refers to how much time a child spends with each parent. In a sole custody arrangement, the non-custodial parent will have less time than the parent with primary physical custody.

Establishing Paternity

If you were not married to the child’s mother when the child was born or conceived, you will have to prove paternity before the court will grant you child custody. You can establish paternity in several ways, including with a signed affidavit of parentage or via a court order naming you as the child’s legal father. Our firm’s fathers’ rights attorneys can help establish paternity if necessary.

Determining Child Support

The court determines child support by assessing each parent’s income and the child’s needs. Child support can often be an issue when fathers seek more parenting time or custody. We can help resolve child support disputes.

Legal Rights Fathers Should Assert in Grand Rapids Family Law Cases

Fathers can assert and protect their rights in child custody cases and other family law cases by actively parenting and participating in their children’s lives. When the court sees a father making parenting decisions, taking advantage of parenting time, and fulfilling financial obligations, it is more likely to determine that time with the father is in the child’s best interests.

In addition, maintaining an active role can help strengthen a father’s rights in future legal actions, like requests to modify custody orders or grant more parenting time.

How Kraayeveld Family Law Advocates for Fathers’ Rights

Kraayeveld Family Law goes the extra mile for all our clients. We do not work for the courts or opposing counsel. We work for you, and your goals are central to everything we do.

We boldly advocate for fathers’ rights in and outside the courtroom. We prepare every case for trial and have experience in a wide range of family law issues. At every stage, we will provide you with the guidance, resources, and honest representation you need to make informed decisions.

Empowering Fathers in Grand Rapids

We know that family law is personal. Regardless of your issue, we are here to help relieve your burden and protect you, your children, and your family’s future. To learn more about how Kraayeveld Family Law can assist with fathers’ rights litigation in Grand Rapids, contact or call our law firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced family law attorney.