Child Custody, Paternity, Visitation, and Support

A Law Firm Dedicated to Handling Children's Issues

Children's issues are some of the most important and complex issues involved in any divorce or paternity case. At Damon, Ver Merris, Boyko & Witte, PLC, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we are committed to helping parents protect the interests of children going through divorce. We have a comprehensive understanding of the issues Michigan courts consider in making child custody, child support, and parenting time decisions. We are committed to providing our clients the information necessary to protect their children's interests.

Informed Child Custody Attorneys

Child custody has two aspects - legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is the right of a parent to make decisions regarding the child's upbringing including schooling, religion, and medical care. Physical custody involves where the child lives. Custody arrangements can take several forms - joint legal custody, joint physical custody, sole legal custody, or sole physical custody.

Typically, the courts want both parents involved in the child's life. So the non-custodial parent is almost always awarded parenting time and is required to pay child support. Visitation agreements can be worked out between the parents or they can be decided by a judge in court. The courts consider many factors when awarding child support to the custodial parent, including income of the parents, insurance, child care, and the number of children. We strive to help parents going through divorce work out child custody and visitation agreements, without the need to go to court.

Grandparents' Rights

In addition to handling child custody and visitation matters, our lawyers have experience protecting the right of grandparents to visit grandchildren. Under certain circumstances, the Michigan courts allow grandparents to be involved in decisions related to child custody and visitation. We are committed to protecting the rights and interests of Michigan grandparents.

Contact Our West Michigan Child Custody Lawyers

If you need a Grand Rapids attorney to handle any child custody, visitation, or child support matter, please contact the lawyers at Damon, Ver Merris, Boyko & Witte, PLC, for an initial consultation without obligation. Our firm can be reached by phone at 616-975-9951, by e-mail, or by filling out the intake form on our contact us page.