What does joint custody really mean in michigan

Sounds a little bit paranoid but in today's society somehat justified. Have you put him down as emergency contact with the school and hat he's allowed to pick up the child(ren)? If you have he's being a pain, if not he's being overly cautious. Suggest you two work it out and make sure everyone's on the same page.

JOINT CUSTODY: At the request of either parent, the court must consider ordering joint custody. If the parents agree on joint custody, the court must order it unless the court determines that joint custody is not in the best interests of the child. When deciding, judges must state on the record their reasons for granting or denying the request. Judges may consider joint custody without a parent’s request. In addition to the normal factors considered when deciding custody, with joint custody judges must also consider whether the parents will be able to cooperate and generally agree concerning important decisions affecting the welfare of the child.2 The statute defines joint custody in a way which provides for joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or a combination of joint legal and joint physical custody.

The following are two types of joint custody according to the Michigan Custody Guidelines:

JOINT LEGAL CUSTODY: Joint legal custody means that parents share decision-making authority as to the important decisions affecting the welfare of the child.3 Joint custody does not depend on the amount of time the child is with each parent.

JOINT PHYSICAL CUSTODY: Means that there will be specific times when each parent will have the child with them.4 However, it does not mean the parents will necessarily share decision-making authority unless the judge also has ordered joint legal custody. As an example of joint physical custody, one parent could have physical custody during the school year, alternate weekends, and alternate holidays, with the other parent having physical custody during the summer months, alternate weekends, and alternate holidays. If the judge awards joint physical custody, the court order will usually include a statement regarding when the child shall reside with each parent. The court order may provide that physical custody be shared by the parents to make sure the child has contact with both parents. During the time a child resides with a parent, that parent decides all routine and emergency matters concerning the child. If the father is stating he cannot pick up his child from school, you may be right in thinking he is making excuses, he cannot get charged for kidnapping, infact he should have his name listed at the school so that he can pick up the child when needed.