Post Date
Interest Area
Family
Today, Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) and the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence (MCEDSV) submitted a letter to the Michigan Legislature expressing concerns about House Bills 5211–5213, which would create a presumption of joint custody in child custody proceedings.
These bills would replace Michigan’s evidence-based, child-centered approach with a rigid legal presumption that fails to account for the unique circumstances of each family, including safety considerations, family dynamics, and economic realities.
Our key concerns include:
- Presumptive joint custody is not supported by research and undermines the children’s best interests;
- Presumptive joint custody places survivors of domestic violence at risk;
- Presumptive joint custody disproportionately harms low-income families; and
- Michigan’s existing law already supports shared parenting where it’s appropriate.
You can read the full letter here: MPLP and MCEDSV Joint Letter in Opposition to HBs 5211-5213.