Haque Legal · Bloomfield Hills · Oakland County Family Law
When parents never married, the law does not automatically give both of them enforceable rights to the child. Legal paternity, custody, parenting time, and support each have to be established, by an agreement the court approves or by a court order. Until that happens, schedules depend on goodwill.
Haque Legal helps Oakland County fathers and mothers turn an informal arrangement into a clear order: who decides on school and medical care, where the child lives, when each parent has time, and what support is owed. We also handle disputes over who the legal father is.
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Reviewed by Fahd S. Haque, Esq., Founder & Principal Attorney · Updated November 5, 2026
Signed an Acknowledgment of Parentage but have no court order?
An Acknowledgment of Parentage makes a father the legal father, but it does not give him a parenting time schedule. Under Michigan law, the mother has initial custody after an acknowledgment is signed, until a court orders otherwise or the parents agree (MCL 722.1006).
If you are not seeing your child, or you are worried about a move or a sudden change, a custody and parenting time case is how you get enforceable rights. The longer an informal arrangement lasts, the more it can shape the child's established custodial environment.
Michigan custody law does not favor either parent because of gender. We present each client's role in the child's life with specifics, not assumptions. Fathers’ rights
Genetic testing, a presumed father from a marriage, or an acknowledgment signed in error each have their own rules and deadlines. We have used Michigan's Revocation of Paternity Act in contested cases.
When both parents are prepared, custody and parenting time are often agreed early. Our published results include several final judgments entered at the first court appearance.
If either parent is a noncitizen, custody and immigration questions are reviewed by one firm. Custody and immigration status
Senior Attorney
The firm’s lead family law attorney, licensed in Michigan since 1993. Divorce, custody, parenting time, and support in the Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb County circuit courts.
Associate Attorney
J.D., Wayne State University Law School. Custody, child support formula calculations, post-judgment modifications, and contested parenting time.
Principal Attorney & Founder
Michigan trial lawyer since 2014. Super Lawyers® Rising Stars 2022–2026. Contested custody, divorce, and property division, prepared as though the case will be tried.
Custody
“I was pulled back into court due to a high-conflict situation with my ex, and working with Theresa Rizer made all the difference. She fought hard for me, explained everything clearly, and helped me stay focused. I truly felt like she was in my corner.”Sara Kuhnie, Google review
Litigation
“Attorney Theresa Rizer demonstrated a high level of professionalism, preparation, and clear legal judgment. Her courtroom advocacy was calm, focused, and effective. I felt confident knowing my case was being handled thoughtfully and with attention to detail.”Arvind Sharma, Google review
Divorce
“[Hunter] was my lawyer for my divorce. She was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. Nothing but good things to say about this law firm.”Angela Paladuk, Google review
Both parents sign a sworn form, often at the hospital. It establishes legal paternity without a court case (MCL 722.1003). It does not create a custody or parenting time order.
Either parent, and in some cases the state, can ask the court to determine paternity, with genetic testing if paternity is disputed (MCL 722.714). The court can then enter custody, parenting time, and support orders.
An acknowledgment or a presumed father's paternity can be challenged under the Revocation of Paternity Act, but strict time limits and proof requirements apply (MCL 722.1437).
Once parentage is established, custody is decided under the same best-interest factors as in a divorce (MCL 722.23), and parenting time is set in the child's best interests (MCL 722.27a).
Start with what is true today: who the child lives with, how often the other parent has time, and who handles school, daycare, and medical care. Judges look closely at the child's established custodial environment, so the current routine matters.
If parentage is disputed, that question comes first. If it is settled, the case moves straight to custody, parenting time, and support. Either way, a written proposal for the schedule you want gives the court and the other parent something concrete to respond to.
An acknowledgment, a birth certificate, a presumed father, or a need for genetic testing.
Where the child sleeps, who handles school and medical care, and the current schedule.
Legal custody, a parenting time schedule, holidays, exchanges, and support.
The issues mirror a divorce with children, without the property division. Each one should be written into an order the Friend of the Court can enforce.
Who makes major decisions about school, health care, and religion. Joint legal custody requires parents to cooperate on those decisions.
Where the child lives and the schedule for each parent, including holidays and summers. Holiday parenting time
Calculated under the Michigan Child Support Formula using both incomes and the number of overnights. Child support · Overnight calculator
A father can be added to the birth certificate through an acknowledgment or a court order. Name changes follow separate rules.
Once a custody order is in place, Michigan's 100-mile rule can limit moving the child's legal residence without consent or court approval (MCL 722.31).
Genetic testing, presumed-father issues, and revocation claims must be resolved before custody can be.
Also see: Fathers’ rights · Child custody · Changing an existing order
For court locations, Friend of the Court contacts, and local procedures, see our Oakland County Family Court guide.
No. It establishes legal paternity. After it is signed, the mother has initial custody until a court orders otherwise or the parents agree. A father needs a custody and parenting time order for an enforceable schedule.
File a custody and parenting time case in the family court, or a paternity case first if parentage has not been established. The court sets custody and parenting time under the same best-interest standards used in a divorce.
Yes. In a paternity case, the court can order genetic testing when parentage is disputed. Testing before signing an acknowledgment is often wiser than trying to undo one later.
A child born during a marriage is presumed to be the husband's child. Challenging that presumption is governed by the Revocation of Paternity Act, which has strict time limits. Talk to us early.
Once paternity is legally established, yes. The court applies the same best-interest factors to both parents. Before paternity is established, a father has no enforceable custody or parenting time rights.
Support is set by court order using the Michigan Child Support Formula. Without an order there is no enforceable obligation, which is one reason to put the arrangement in writing with the court.
Once a custody order is in place, Michigan's 100-mile rule generally requires consent or court approval to move the child's legal residence more than 100 miles, with exceptions (MCL 722.31). Before an order exists, protections are weaker.
Some cases resolve at the first appearance. Contested cases with a Friend of the Court investigation or an evidentiary hearing take longer. Temporary orders can set a schedule in the meantime.
Yes. The initial consultation is free. We explain fees for your situation at that meeting, before you decide whether to hire the firm.
Official references: MCL 722.1003, acknowledgment of parentage · MCL 722.1006, initial custody · MCL 722.714, paternity actions · MCL 722.1437, revocation of acknowledgment · MCL 722.23, best-interest factors · MCL 722.27a, parenting time · MCL 722.31, 100-mile rule
Bring the child's birth certificate, any Acknowledgment of Parentage, current orders or Friend of the Court papers, and a short description of the current schedule. If a hearing or exchange is coming up, tell us when you contact the firm.
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