A custody, child support and parenting time order based on the parties’ signed mediation agreement was properly entered by the trial judge, even though the mother disavowed the agreement and refused to sign the order, the Michigan Court of Appeals has decided.

In Kleinjan v. Carlton, the parties had a child together, but were not married. The father filed a complaint requesting legal and physical custody of the child, child support and supervised parenting time for the mother. The parties and their...

Legislation that would require courts to award joint custody in divorce cases is being criticized by trial judges and family-law practitioners as being ill-conceived and not in the best interests of Michigan children.

House Bill 4141 would mandate that trial courts order joint custody unless there is clear and convincing evidence that a parent is unfit, unwilling or unable to care for the children.

Trial judges assert that HB 4141 eliminates their discretion in custody and parenting-time cases, while...