Livingston County Michigan Friend of the Court 210 S Highlander Way Howell MI  48843 517 546 0230  Fax 517 552 2312

 
Guidelines for Children Over 4 Years

 APPLICATION: These guidelines apply when the court order gives the non-custodial parent rights of "reasonable (and liberal) parenting time."

1. Reasonable:

(A) Alternate Weekends: This means from Friday at 6:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

(B) Alternate Holidays: A holiday is one day, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m.

Holidays are: New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve Day

(C) Parent's Day: Child/ren with mom on Mother's Day, with dad on Father's Day, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

(D) Christmas and Spring School Breaks: Either split each 50/50 or alternate each year.

E) Summer Parenting Time: 4 weeks. If the four weeks are consecutive, then the custodial parent has the right to a weekend parenting time in the midst of this period, provided this is in the child's best interest. For example, if non-custodial parent has planned this period as an out-of-town camping trip, it is unreasonable to insist child must not go, so custodial parent can visit for a weekend. Similarly, if child is very young, intervening weekend with custodial parent may be very important for the child's stability. If the four weeks are non-consecutive, then, generally, there would be no right to parenting time by the custodial parent. However, if the child is very young, a mid-week visit of approximately two hours would be recommended.

Note: Regarding Parenting Time Abatement: For purposes of calculating summer parenting time abatement credit, the non-custodial parent will be credited for the period he or she has the child, and the fact that the custodial parent had a weekend visit will not apply. For example, if the non-custodial parent has the child for four consecutive weeks, and the custodial parent has a weekend visit, the FOC will not subtract that weekend from the total of non-custodial parent's four weeks.

2. Liberal: Add two visits during the week, generally 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

3. Transportation: Parents share this responsibility equally and should do so within 30 minutes of the scheduled times. For example, the non-custodial parent picks the children up at the start of the parenting time and the custodial parent picks the children up at the conclusion of the parenting time.

4. Addresses: If the non-custodial parent has parenting time rights, custodial parent has right to know his/her address. Generally, both parents should have each other's telephone numbers, as well as the phone number for the place of visitation. However, prior telephone harassment in the case may indicate otherwise.

Note:The above are to serve as guidelines. Parties are free to choose their own times, special days (such as Halloween, children's birthdays etc.,) for the best interests of their children.

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Livingston County Friend of the Court
Law Center Building - 210 S. Highlander Way Suite 3, Howell, Michigan 48843
Phone 517.546.0230 | FAX 517.552.2312

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Last updated:  Wednesday, September 23, 2009 by:  L. Lalewicz