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May 19th, 2004
The Michigan House of Representatives may soon vote on a proposal to modify state marriage and divorce laws.
Couples who wish to be married would have the option of taking a marriage course to speed the licensing process, and couples seeking a divorce would be required to take a course in divorce before legally dissolving their marriage, according to the marriage reform package.
The state would help engaged couples pay for the marriage course, which would allow them to receive their license in three days rather than the 27 days that couples opting out of the course will have to wait.
Governor Jennifer Granholm expressed some doubts about the proposal, saying without seeing the final language that the bill might go “too far” in forcing government involvement in personal matters.
For more information on Michigan divorce law, please contact us.
Issues Regarding Child Custody
Child custody rights may be shared by both parents or, primary child custody rights may be awarded to one parent or legal guardian. Since the 1970s the family court will award child custody rights contingent with the best interests of the child.
Child custody for fathers following a divorce is one of the most important aspects of a dissolving marriage. Throughout history the legal presumptions about child custody for fathers has changed significantly. Before the twentieth century children were regarded as the property of their father. Under common law, child custody for fathers was commonly awarded, as children were considered a father's rightful property. A major shift occurred after this period in history, as family courts came to favor mothers in child custody cases. It was presumed that under normal circumstances, children did better when placed in the sole custody of their mothers.