Standard Parenting Time

Weekend Parenting Time

Plaintiff (PL)/Defendant (DF) shall have weekend parenting time with the minor child(ren) from 6:00 p.m. Friday until 6:00 p.m. Sunday on alternating weekends.

Weekday Parenting Time

The Plaintiff/Defendant shall be entitled to spend time with the minor child(ren) on Wednesdays from after school to 8:00 p.m. (or 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. if school is not in session.)

Holiday Parenting Time

Plaintiff/Defendant shall have the right to visit with the minor child(ren) on the following holidays:

In odd years Mother (and in even years Father) shall have parenting time with the minor child/ren as follows:

• Spring Break
• Easter
• July 4th
• Halloween
• Christmas Eve
• New Year’s Day

In even years Mother (and in odd years Father) shall have parenting time with the minor child/ren as follows:

• Memorial Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Child/ren’s Birthday

The Mother shall always have the child(ren) on Mother’s Day, and the Father shall always have the child(ren) on Father’s Day.

Hours for Holidays

• Spring break parenting time shall begin the date the child(ren)’s school system begins the holiday break and continue through the week until Sunday prior to school commencing at 6:00 p.m.
• The Easter holiday shall be begin on Easter Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and shall end on Easter Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
• Mother’s and Father’s Days shall begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 8:00 p.m.
• Memorial and Labor Days shall begin on the Friday before at 6:00 p.m. and shall end on Memorial/Labor Day at 8:00 p.m.
• 4th of July shall begin on the day before at 6:00 p.m. and shall end on 4th of July at 6:00 p.m.
• Halloween (for elementary aged children only) shall be the day of the week that is designated for “trick or treating” in the city/village/town where the child/ren primarily reside. The Halloween holiday shall begin at 4:00 p.m. and shall end on Halloween at 8:00 p.m.
• Winter Break is defined as beginning on the day that school is dismissed at 6:00 p.m. and ending on the day prior to school commencing at 6:00 p.m. The Winter break shall be divided into two (2) halves. The 1st half of winter holiday break is defined as beginning on the day that school is dismissed at 6:00 p.m. and ending on the day that falls half-way through the winter holiday break. The 2nd half of winter holiday break is defined as beginning on the day that falls half-way through the winter holiday break and ending on the day before school commences.
• Christmas Eve shall begin on December 23 at 6:00 p.m. and shall end on December 24 at 8:00 p.m.
• Christmas Day shall begin on December 24 at 8:00 p.m. and shall end on December 25 at 8:00 p.m.
• New Year’s shall begin on December 31 at 6:00 p.m. and shall end on January 1 at 8:00 p.m.
• Child/ren’s birthday. If the child’s birthday falls on a school day, parenting time shall occur for four (4) hours from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. If the child’s birthday occurs on a non-school day, parenting time shall occur for eight (8) hours from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. If there is more than one (1) child, parenting time shall include all of the children.

Summer Parenting Time

Summer is defined as beginning on the Sunday after the last day of school at 6:00 p.m. and ending on the Sunday prior to the first day of school at 6:00 p.m. The summer schedule may either remain the same as school year schedule (290/75 overnights annually); may include two (2) weeks of uninterrupted summer parenting time (281/84 overnights annually); or the summer may be shared (261/104 overnights annually).

General parenting time guidelines

• Telephone contact. The child/ren may be allowed reasonable access to each parent via telephone, email, text, etc., when the child/ren is/are in the care of the other parent. Unless otherwise agreed, reasonable access shall include a minimum of one contact each week up to a maximum of three contacts each week, but in no event shall interfere with the parenting time of the parent currently enjoying parenting time.
• Transportation. Absent court order or agreement of the parties, the parent exercising parenting time shall provide transportation for the minor child/ren for his or her parenting time. For example, if father is exercising his parenting time, he picks the child/ren up and mother picks the child/ren up at the beginning of her parenting time. Pick up and drop off of the children shall be at the home of the parents. A parent may choose to have a properly licensed adult, who is familiar to the child/ren provide transportation for parenting time.
• Extracurricular and Sporting Events. Extracurricular activities for a child are generally positive and to be encouraged. However, parents should cooperate with each other when enrolling the child/ren in extracurricular and sporting activities to ensure that the activities do not interfere with the ability of the child/ren to enjoy parenting time. Neither parent should enroll the child/ren in excessive activities which serve to interfere with the other’s ability to spend time with the child/ren. Both parents may attend the child/ren’s extracurricular and sporting activities regardless if it is their parenting time. Each parent is responsible for taking the child/ren to all school sponsored extracurricular and sporting activities which are scheduled during their parenting time.
• Out of State Parenting Time. Unless prohibited by court order, either parent may take the child/ren out of the state or country for vacation during their parenting time. However, neither parent shall exercise parenting time in a foreign country/nation that is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of the International Child Abduction unless both parties agree in writing with a copy provided to the Friend of the Court as required by MCL 722.27a(9). For a list of countries that are a partner to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, see: http://travel.state.gov/abduction/resources/congressreport/congressreport_1487.html.
• Pick up and dropp of times. Parents are encouraged to communicate with each other in the event they are going to be late or need to return the child/ren early. However, absent prior agreement, in the event of unforeseen circumstances that either parent is late for pick-up , without prior notice, the other parent shall wait thirty (30) minutes. If the child is still home after this time, parenting time shall be allowed, if at a reasonable hour. Otherwise, parenting time for that time period is forfeited unless the parties agree to make up parenting time. Remember, nothing disappoints a child more than to be kept waiting to be picked up, or even worse, never to be picked up at all.
• Orders which provide for “reasonable” parenting time. If your court order states that a parent has reasonable parenting time as agreed to between the parents, the parents must mutually agree to a schedule. The parent with primary physical custody should not deny the other parent all access to the child/ren. If the parents cannot agree, upon a schedule, the parties may seek mediation services through the Friend of the Court if both parties agree, and if not, then one of the parents will have to file a motion with the Court to have the schedule determined through a Court order.
• Prescription medication. Prescription medications shall be sent with the child/ren for parenting time and shall be returned with the child . All medication prescribed to the minor child/ren must be given during each parent’s parenting time.
• Car seats. Car seats are required by law. An approved infant seat, booster seat or child car seat must be used at all times by law. Each parent shall provide an infant or child care seat if the person transporting the child does not have one available.

Custody & Parenting Time FAQ

• At what age can a child decide with which parent he/she will live?
  Eighteen. Children do not decide custody. Parents and/or the Court determine custody. The reasonable preference of the child is only one of many factors that the Court considers in reaching a custody decision.
• What happens if I have an order of custody and the other parent does not return the child to me as stated in that order?
  You should contact your Case Manager. The policy or Child Protective Services should only be called when you believe the child is in immediate danger.
• Can I stop paying support if the other party is not allowing my parenting time?
  No. Though it may feel frustrating to be denied parenting time, you cannot deny support payments. Support and parenting time are two separate parts of the court order. Disobeying one part of the order is not a justification to disobey another part of the order. Both support and parenting time violations use similar enforcement procedures. For more detailed information, contact the Friend of the Court office.
• If it appears that the other parent has been drinking or using drugs, do I have to let the children go for parenting time?
  That is your decision to make. However, if you decide to deny parenting time, a contempt hearing may be set and you will have to explain why you felt that your decision was in the best interest of the children (e.g. their health and safety). You may wish to look into drug testing in order to prove the other parent has been drinking or using drugs. The more evidence you have that indicates the other parent may have been drinking or using drugs the more likely it is for the contempt hearing will resolve in your favor.