{"id":374148,"date":"2018-05-31T11:32:15","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T16:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-parenting-time-and-visitation-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-19T15:16:41","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T20:16:41","slug":"michigan-parenting-time-and-visitation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-parenting-time-and-visitation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Parenting Time and Visitation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Michigan Parenting Time and Visitation Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Michigan visitation rights, also known as "parenting time", ensure children maintain strong relationships with both parents after separation or divorce. Courts consider factors like the child’s emotional bond with each parent, home stability, and school ties when determining visitation schedules.<\/h5>\r\n

As long as the court determines that it’s in the best interests of the child, it will ensure that a child has visitation<\/a> with both the custodial and non-custodial parents. Although Michigan provides model guidelines for determining visitation schedules and terms, not all counties have adopted them. Some may have their own variations.<\/p>\r\n

This article is intended to give you a general overview of how the state of Michigan determines parenting and grandparenting time, common terms and conditions, and other important details.<\/p>\r\n

Michigan Visitation Rights<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In Michigan, visitation rights (parenting time<\/a>) are established within the framework of the custody arrangement determined by the courts. The primary aim is to ensure the well-being of the child, facilitating strong relationships with both parents post-separation or divorce.<\/p>\r\n

Michigan courts assess factors such as the emotional bond between the child and each parent, the stability of the home environment, and the child’s ties to their school and community. Visitation schedules are designed to complement the physical custody<\/a> arrangement, which may be sole physical custody or joint physical custody. It can also include regular overnights and holiday visits.<\/p>\r\n

Parents are encouraged to agree on a visitation plan. If they can’t, the court will establish a fair and practical schedule to ensure the child’s best interests<\/a> are met.<\/p>\r\n

Michigan Parenting Time and Visitation Laws: The Basics<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

You want have more time to visit with your child, which means you probably aren’t interested in translating dense legal text. It’s important to understand your rights and obligations with respect to parenting time in Michigan,<\/a> so we’ve provided the following "plain English" summary of the relevant Michigan laws to help you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Michigan Parenting Time Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Michigan Compiled Laws Section 722.27a<\/a>, et seq. (Child Custody Act of 1970)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Michigan Parenting Time: Model Guidelines<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Not all counties in Michigan have adopted the state’s model guidelines for parenting time schedules<\/b>, so check with your county<\/a> for specifics:<\/p>\r\n

Alternating Weekends<\/b> –<\/b><\/i> From 6:00 p.m. Friday until 6:00 p.m. Sunday<\/p>\r\n

Weekdays<\/b> –<\/b><\/i> One evening per week from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on a day to be determined by the parties (Wednesday if parties can’t agree)<\/p>\r\n

Holidays<\/b><\/p>\r\n

For the following holidays, the father has parenting time in odd-numbered years and the mother has parenting time in even-numbered years:<\/p>\r\n

Common Terms and Conditions of Parenting Time<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

The following specific terms and conditions of parenting time<\/b> may be included in the court order if requested by either party:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Division of responsibility to transport<\/b> the child<\/li>\r\n
  • Division of cost of transporting<\/b> the child<\/li>\r\n
  • Restrictions on the presence of third parties<\/b> during parenting time<\/li>\r\n
  • Requirements that the child be ready for parenting time<\/b> by a specific time<\/li>\r\n
  • Requirements that the parent arrive<\/b> for parenting time and return the child<\/b> at specific times<\/li>\r\n
  • Requirements that parenting time occur in the presence of a third person<\/b> or agency<\/li>\r\n
  • Requirements that a party post a bond<\/b> to assure compliance with the parenting time order<\/li>\r\n
  • Requirements of reasonable notice when parenting time will not occur<\/b><\/li>\r\n
  • Any other reasonable condition<\/b> determined to be appropriate<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Factors Considered When Determining Parenting Time (Visitation) in Michigan<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

In order to determine the length, frequency, and type of parenting time<\/b>, the court considers the following factors:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Any special needs<\/b> of the child<\/li>\r\n
  • Whether the child is less than 6 months old and nursing<\/b>, or less than 1 year old and receiving substantial nutrition from nursing<\/li>\r\n
  • Reasonable likelihood of abuse or neglect of the child<\/b> during parenting time<\/li>\r\n
  • Reasonable likelihood of abuse of a parent<\/b> resulting from parenting time<\/li>\r\n
  • Inconvenience to, and burden on, the child as a result of traveling<\/b> from one parent to the other<\/li>\r\n
  • Whether a parent can reasonably be expected to comply<\/b> with parenting time in accordance with the court order<\/li>\r\n
  • Whether the parent has, in the past, frequently failed<\/b> to exercise reasonable parenting time<\/li>\r\n
  • Threatened or actual detention of the child<\/b> with intent to keep or conceal the child from the custodial parent<\/li>\r\n
  • Any other relevant factors<\/b><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Grandparenting Time<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

A child’s grandparent may seek a grandparenting time order<\/a> under one of the following circumstances:<\/p>\r\n