Michigan Votes Forum

to access to the non-custodial parent. we also have the responsibility to keep the child support payments coming. if we don't go to FOC hearings, we never get heard, maybe the DON'T WANT to hear from us, but if we don't even try, we prove the spouse right who is standing there saying that we are worthless. child custody and FOC issues are the ONLY place with no gender equality. every time we don't hold up our end of the bargain, we provide proof positive that the system SHOULDN'T CHANGE. it's your child too. you need to either get involved with the child directly, or be prepared to get involved with the FOC system.

It doesnt matter about your rights, the state of Michigan just wants your money. Stop paying taxes to this state and then they will fold.

Divorce and custody issues do not affect me personally but I work with the children of divorce every day. Every day I see kids who are hungry for their fathers but are being denied them either due to custody rulings or because Mom and Dad can't seem to realize that you should love your children more than you hate each other and should do what is in the best interests of the kids. The girls I teach with solid, respectable fathers in their lives are so much happier and make much better decisions when it comes to respecting themselves and choosing what type of boy they date. The boys I teach with solid, respectable fathers are less angry at the world and more confident. Unless one parent is unfit, custody should be equal and I wish you good luck in passing this bill. It is absolutely heartbreaking to have a kid sobbing in your classroom because he/she desperately wants to see Dad but isn't allowed to.

Hey. You know, I am a member of this fight (billsarena.com) and I would like to ask, "Why doesn't this pass? It makes sense! What about the kids?"

To the Editor: (Detroit Free Press) The Friend of the Court system budget is derived from Michigan's voluntary participation with Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Why is this program so overburdened was not even asked in Jack Kresnak's July 7th article. Title IV-D Welfare and the Friend of the Court Welfare Services lack necessary eligibility requirements to control program size. The FOC free-for-all spending program is overburdened because it is focused on generating revenue for the State of Michigan by increasing participation as opposed to creating a balanced safety-net for only NEEDY families. How can a State Agency (DHS) that is receiving 66 percent reimbursement of program costs by the Federal Government be so overburdened is obvious. The FOC is too busy trying to force participation of the wealthy and middle-class (driving up participation numbers) because each participant means more revenue for the State and not to Needy families. Don't confuse liberal welfare propaganda with investigative reporting. Lary Holland (Submitted July 8, 2006)

The Friend of the Court system is definitely not set up to help children or families. It's just another means for the government to capitolize on the shortcomings of the citizens. Divorce is very unfortunate, but the trick begins at marriage. Marriage under the laws of the land are cooked; marriage under God is sacred! The governmental system has many hidden agendas that obviously are not recognized by the poeple who sign up for them. Ex: By signing that beautiful marriage certificate, you are subjecting yourself, and your family to the jurusdiction and tricks of the FOC that (unfortunately) inevitably lie ahead.

I should have read this first. You apparently experienced first hand a trick of the government.

Several people nationwide are requesting presumptions for substantially equal custody through Title IV-D welfare. This is a great idea and if this passes Michigan will be in compliance when HB5267 passes! www.laryholland.org/serendipity/archives/281-Requesting-Change-Its-a-Matter-of-Adminstration-and-Legislation.html

I am a father who everyday is scared for my children. i have three kids my oldest is my i guess you say stepson. to me he is my son...my girlfriend was married and it didnt work. she left wanting only for the fighting to stop.she was wanting the best when she foolishly went to a lawyer with her ex husband and was told that they would have joint custody but untill she got on her feet. physical custody would remain with his father because he stayed in the family home that his parents owned. he promised when u get on your feet we will have him 50/50 she agreed. it has been nothing but a emotional rollercoaster he has used his physical custody to torture her,me and more importantly our two outher children who we have to explain to why they cant see brother.we have done everything this man has asked for just to keep our son with us week for week. but any time we dont do as her ex says he tortures us. this is hard for all of us.we pay about 400.oo dollars a month in child support yet we have him half the time as long as we do as we r told by her ex. this is nothing compared to what we would pay. just to know that we can not again be told no you can have him next week because i dont like you today. please someone open your eyes and realize this is a much bigger picture than it sometimes looks. it hurts to see my childrens mother cry night after night because she is scared of her ex and of his familys money. they constantly tell her they will buy the best lawyer money can buy when we ask for our end of the bargin to be honered. we just want wats best for our children. and that is joint physical custody ppppppppplllllleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassssssssseeee

I am a father who everyday is scared for my children. i have three kids my oldest is my i guess you say stepson. to me he is my son...my girlfriend was married and it didnt work. she left wanting only for the fighting to stop.she was wanting the best when she foolishly went to a lawyer with her ex husband and was told that they would have joint custody but untill she got on her feet. physical custody would remain with his father because he stayed in the family home that his parents owned. he promised when u get on your feet we will have him 50/50 she agreed. it has been nothing but a emotional rollercoaster he has used his physical custody to torture her,me and more importantly our two outher children who we have to explain to why they cant see brother.we have done everything this man has asked for just to keep our son with us week for week. but any time we dont do as her ex says he tortures us. this is hard for all of us.we pay about 400.oo dollars a month in child support yet we have him half the time as long as we do as we r told by her ex. this is nothing compared to what we would pay. just to know that we can not again be told no you cant have him next week because i dont like you today. please someone open your eyes and realize this is a much bigger picture than it sometimes looks. it hurts to see my childrens mother cry night after night because she is scared of her ex and of his familys money. they constantly tell her they will buy the best lawyer money can buy when we ask for our end of the bargin to be honered. we just want whats best for our children. and that is joint physical custody ppppppppplllllleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassssssssseeee

I have been fighting for the "right" to be able to raise my child since her birth. The current system IS flawed and it is very biased. I never wronged my X, but she still holds all the cards. I just want what is best for my child and what I believe is best for her is to be raised by both of her parets. THIS NEEDS TO BECOME LAW PERIOD!

This is a make sense bill thats a win for everyone.

According to Parenting Agreements children have certain inalienable rights...both parties (parents) are supposed to work together to ensure that their children's rights/needs are met. However, courts are consistently deciding that Mothers will be the Custodial Parent w/o any investigation proving that the fathers in these cases are unfit. In addition to these findings the courts tie money and time together, so that if "extra" time is allowed to the non-custodial parent the custodial parent loses money. By doing this it is pretty well ensured that there will be no agreement b/w the parties and the custodial parent has a very clear motive for preventing the other parent from having time w/ their joint-children. This bill needs to pass. It is so simple, eliminate the power, eliminate the financial "GAIN", and the children will go where they are wanted and loved. True motives will come to light and happiness will ensue.

Thank you ! Please support. I am in joint custody and it cost me thousands of dollars to prove my interest in being an active, loving father and to convince courts joint custody was child's best interest. After four years my child is confident, loving, bonded child to both parents. Had this been the norm four years ago, those dollars spent in litigation would have been better spent on investing in my child's education or paying for that new roof I need. Thank you again ! Next steps; amending FOC to be accountable. Establishing 'change of circumstance' definitions and forcing judges to make a formal determination on change of circumstance prior to investigating a change in custody. After four years I've found myself back in court trying to protect my son from being moved out of the country with the FOC supporting the mother's request for change of custody. Outrageous that FOC actually supports moving a flourishing child out of US and there is nothing I can do about it.

Thank You ! My son is in joint custody for past four years and he is flourishing. Had this been in place four years ago, it would have saved me thousands that would be better spent on child's education or paying for that new roof I need. The best part; it no longer biases towards mother's convinience, but focuses on the child's best interest.

The Representatives of Michigan have the chance to change the lives of our children. Anyone who does not vote in favor of this bill does not know what it is like to be a parent. It would be a blessing to all when this bill passes.

The objective data is in and supports HB5267; joint custody in the best interest of everyone involved and allows parents and children to make the most out of a difficult situation by removing a bitter point of divorce. More importantly, children can get the best of both their parent's worlds. Thank you for voting yes on HB5267.

People and lovers of their children, grand children and step children, UNITE!!! Help pass the bill!! Call your local representative,senator TODAY! GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HEAR OUR CRY!!!!!

This would and will fix most of the problems with the friend of the court also known as "the enemy of the family" It is about time that both mothers and fathers get EQUAL rights to their children!

Judges that have no clue of whats really going on in their courtrooms or ignore it are part of the rubber stamping custody/support machine problem! And the FOC figures everything is OTAY as long as the money is pouring in! How much $, billions and billions is why the don't want to stop this money making machine! The interest these monies generate in a interest bearing general fund is mind blowing and pays huge salaries to FOC employees personal cars and other bennis.

Wake up crusaders they will never shoot themselves in the wallet! Some soap box judge in Barry County wants input, right I could really hear the empathy in his voice too! Barry county is the most corrupt in the state. I wrote my own bills to Bill Clinton and Al Gore in 1980's about the corruption in Barry County, I offered joint custody be the law of the land and thats all I wanted and the FOC couldn't even maintain my court ordered visitation!

NO matter what they say or do VISIT those kids,beg,plead,trick what ever it takes. Even if you have to work,as janitor,live close to your children,request Sunday off,visit your kids. warning,warning will robinson. Judges need to follow laws,protect your rights and childs rights to visits that they so much need that loving bond. NEVER SIGN NOTHING AWAY.DONOT LET THEM TAKE RIGHTS MONTOYA V BEBENSEE 1988 761 do not let unethical therpists who donot follow the ethics codes emotional abuse our children, or your rights as parents,or rights of your babys. gee,why hasn't this paternity 4147 paternity 2007 pass yet,how about now. AND i VOTE YES TOO ON grandparents who adopt a grandchild,maternal or paternal in 1st degree ,eitherside 1stdeg. shall have right, can visit. to be added to adoption code laws. childrightlaws

I dont undrstand the SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL verbage. This seems vauge to me. I do however completely support the spirit of this bill. I know several fathers, including myself and my children, who have been short changed by the leagal system.

Paternity law have to be voted on for child rights but ,people like Paula Roberts a lawyer for CLASP who stated--what the father trying to say he doesn't want anything to do with child,after DNA test. Well here a Question for Paula--Whats the Mother trying to say or do to child, lied to child,fraud and do more harm. NON-biological men should NOT be another mans PATERNITY SLAVE. If mother would told the truth in first place,children wouldNOT suffer, and real father would pay,thereby NO one is harmed.

Why do the judges think Dad's aren't equal to Mom'S? come on pass equal 50/50 shared parenting. Children need Dad too. A Dad living in the same school district should have HIS children wit him as much as Mom does 3 blocks away. pass HB # 5267

Please, pass it!!