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Thursday, January 31, 2019
By Michael Nichols
Categories: Family Law
The Michigan Court of Appeals issued an opinion that bodes well for advocates of shared parenting and father's rights in Michigan.
In a case from Calhoun County, the Court of Appeals held in an unpublished opinion that a mother's tactics to withhold parenting time in violation of court orders, was sufficient cause to revisit the established custodial environment and modify an existing custody order.
Colline DeVries-Burd is a Michigan divorce attorney, who has been active in seeking changes in Michigan Law to protect the relationships of fathers and their children. She calls the case "exciting news" for her friends in the Michigan Fathers' Rights Movement and Michigan Shared Custody organization. The case is "Norwood v Norwood," LC No 2012-003457-DM.
http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov/OPINIONS/FINAL/COA/20190129_C344707_36_344707.OPN.PDF?fbclid=IwAR3CHtvm0IBhnd65MAPA3WftbQ5wq5YKF6pnRA9_HTt7LZUyxWLwZsCJIIY
Ms. DeVries-Burd says "in this case, Mom had sole physical custody initially with the parties sharling legal custody equally. Grounded on the issue of parental alienation and a continued refusal to allow Dad his parenting time, the trial court awarded Dad sole legal custody and primary physical custody, and gave Mom reasonable parenting time. The Court of Appeals affirmed that decision, finding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion.
Ms. DeVries-Burd is committed to results. You can find her at 517 432 9000 or cdburd@nicholslaw.net.