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Child custody issues that pertain to fathers

If you’re one of many Michigan fathers who are considering filing for divorce, you might be concerned about issues that pertain to your children. Matters concerning where your kids will live, child support and other issues may understandably be a priority as you prepare to adapt to a new lifestyle. You might also be a dad who was never married to the mother of your children and who is preparing for child custody proceedings.

Many fathers worry that the family court system has a bias against dads in child custody cases. Studies show that many dads also feel that society, in general, looks upon dads as “secondary” when it comes to children’s well-beings in child custody proceedings. Many black men, in particular, have said that people often assume they are uninvolved fathers.

Your worth as a dad is not defined by how much child support you pay

If you will be a noncustodial parent who is paying child support, it doesn’t mean that you’ve negated your responsibilities as a father. And, whether you are a fit parent is not dependent on how much child support you pay, whether or not you were once married to your children’s mother.

Like all good parents, you want what’s best for your kids and want to financially provide for their needs. However, it’s understandable that you also want to spend time with your children, perhaps even share custody with their other parent. In fact, in cases of divorce, the court typically believes that children fare best when they spend ample time with both parents, not just their mother.

Is an uncooperative co-parent impeding your relationship with your kids?

Many single dads say that their ability to be a good father is an effect of the lack of cooperation from the mother of their children. Some dads also say that they believe they received unfair treatment in court, simply because they are a dad and not a mother.

Science proves that parental instincts exist in both men and women. Scientific data also shows that such instincts are not only hormonal but develop through active parenting.

You deserve a fair child custody settlement

While every child custody case is unique, a common factor across the board is that every parent deserves a fair settlement in court. If you believe that you’re at a disadvantage from the start because you’re a dad and not a mom, you’ll want to make sure you clearly understand Michigan child custody guidelines ahead of time, so that you can protect your parental rights and your children’s best interests.