[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/michigan-child-custody-revamp-proposal-sparks-domestic-violence-concerns\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/michigan-child-custody-revamp-proposal-sparks-domestic-violence-concerns\/","headline":"Michigan Child Custody Revamp Proposal Sparks Domestic Violence Concerns","name":"Michigan Child Custody Revamp Proposal Sparks Domestic Violence Concerns","description":"A joint custody bill that died in the Michigan legislature last year could get another look in 2019. That\u2019s likely to prompt a new debate about the possible impact on victims of domestic abuse. The\u00a0Michigan Shared Custody Act\u00a0would create a presumption that divorcing parents will share custody of their children. State Senator Jim Runestad (White […]","datePublished":"2019-03-29","dateModified":"2025-09-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/author\/james-kraayeveld\/#Person","name":"James Kraayeveld","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/author\/james-kraayeveld\/","identifier":29,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f327c36375f93cacc1f5818cbd6ca5f9c1c362ddf86682a8d1f0adac2b1f6198?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f327c36375f93cacc1f5818cbd6ca5f9c1c362ddf86682a8d1f0adac2b1f6198?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Kraayeveld Family Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kraayeveld-Logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kraayeveld-Logo.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cta-image-attorneys.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cta-image-attorneys.jpg","width":454,"height":599},"url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/michigan-child-custody-revamp-proposal-sparks-domestic-violence-concerns\/","about":["Custody"],"wordCount":478,"articleBody":"A joint custody bill that died in the Michigan legislature last year could get another look in 2019. That\u2019s likely to prompt a new debate about the possible impact on victims of domestic abuse.The\u00a0Michigan Shared Custody Act\u00a0would create a presumption that divorcing parents will share custody of their children. State Senator Jim Runestad (White Lake), the legislation\u2019s previous sponsor, and\u00a0other supporters\u00a0say it would help avoid protracted custody battles and foster the child\u2019s relationship with both parents.\u00a0\u201cThe current system profits by pitting divorcing parents against each other in an ugly competition over who is the better parent,\u201d Runestad said after a Michigan House committee approved the bill in 2017. \u201cA child needs and wants both parents and nothing is more important to people than the right to take care of their child.\u201d\u00a0The legislation stalled in the House late last year. Runestad has since moved to the State senate after winning an election last November.Some advocates for\u00a0domestic violence victims are concerned about the presumption of a 50-50 custody split. They fear it will force parents who are being abused by their spouses to stay in the relationship so that the other spouse can\u2019t have access to the child alone.\u00a0\u201cBy our statistics, those kids are still in dangerous situations and it\u2019s also putting the victim of the abuse back into a dangerous situation, whether it\u2019s trading the kids off or just using the kids as an abuse tactic continuously,\u201d Kimberly Scott, who runs a shelter for domestic abuse victims, told 9&10 News.\u00a0Runestad says the measure would allow judges to scrap shared custody based on proof of domestic abuse.Michigan Child Custody LawChild custody\u00a0cases can be complicated and stressful. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important that parents considering a divorce seek the advice of a seasoned family law attorney.The primary question that courts are trying to answer in these cases\u2014at least under the current law\u2014is: What\u2019s in the best interest of the child? That requires looking at the unique circumstances at play, including the child\u2019s relationship with each parent and the parents\u2019 individual ability to care for the child, among other factors.Speak With a Grand Rapids Child Custody Attorney TodayIf you\u2019re thinking about getting a divorce or are grappling with a custody dispute in Michigan, it\u2019s important to consult an experienced child custody attorney.The Grand Rapids\u00a0child custody attorneys at Kraayeveld Family Law have been assisting clients throughout Grand Rapids for more than a quarter of a century. Our lawyers combine decades of experience in complex matters to help people efficiently untangle their marriages. We pride ourselves on taking a personalized and strategic approach, understanding each individual client\u2019s circumstances and needs. Contact us online or call 616-285-0808 to speak with an attorney today."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Michigan Child Custody Revamp Proposal Sparks Domestic Violence Concerns","item":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/michigan-child-custody-revamp-proposal-sparks-domestic-violence-concerns\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]