Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 2, 2005, to revise a provision in the child custody law which establishes that after a mother and father sign an acknowledgment of parentage, the mother is presumed to have custody of the child unless otherwise determined by a court or agreed to by the parties. The would insert language specifying that signing the form would give initial custody of a minor child to the mother, but by itself would not affect the rights of either parent in a custody or parenting time proceeding

The vote was 101 in favor, 6 opposed and 3 not voting

(House Roll Call 139 at House Journal 45)

Click here to view bill details.

Once a presumption has been made it requires a massive level of evidence to overcome. Just WHAT is wrong with the presumption being that the child has TWO parents. THEN if that doesn't work they can use the courts to overcome any difference. This level of evidence is 50/50 whichever parent is BEST. Doesn't a child deserve his BEST parent?? Usually they SHARE when this happens. Once a parent is ARBITRARILY assigned presumption the change level of evidence becomes 10 of 12 factors. in effect garuanteeing a father gets REJECTED. Then we wonder why Dads opt out of their childs life!?!?!

Although this bill is a step in the right direction the issue will never go away until we have EQUAL custody. The presumption needs to be EQUAL custody, 50/50, unless it can be substantially demonistrated that another arrangement would be better.