S9 Ep89: Can Unmarried Fathers Get Parenting Time Without a Court Order?
Divorce Fast & Easy In Michigan
Release Date: 02/27/2026
Divorce Fast & Easy In Michigan
#ChooseGoldman Dealing with a hostile spouse can derail your divorce goals and stall the litigation process. Attorney Akiva Goldman explains that you must use objective documentation to prove patterns of anger or obstruction, as Michigan courts cannot identify hostility by sight alone. • Conflict impedes the ability to negotiate and turns the divorce into difficult litigation. • If a spouse is stalling the process, you must prove it using a clear paper trail and records. • Manipulators often behave perfectly in court, making it vital to show the contrast in their private behavior. •...
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#ChooseGoldman This episode explains how Michigan courts handle divorce cases where one spouse claims the marriage was only for immigration benefits. Attorney Akiva Goldman explains that courts do not rely on emotions or suspicions, but instead require clear and convincing evidence before considering any fraud claim. • Immigration-related marriage fraud claims must be proven with real evidence • Courts do not accept assumptions, opinions, or emotional accusations • The burden of proof is required to support any fraud allegation • Judges focus on facts, records, and documented behavior...
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#ChooseGoldman When both parents are good, custody cases become harder because there is no clear “bad” parent. Michigan courts must focus on what helps the child most, especially daily routine and long-term care. • Courts focus on the child’s best interests, not comparing good vs bad parents • Daily routines like school, sleep, and care often guide decisions • Small differences between parents can impact the outcome • Shared parenting or equal time may be considered if it supports the child • Nesting arrangements may be used to reduce disruption for the child Download Divorce...
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#ChooseGoldman Professional practices started during a marriage are considered marital assets that require expert valuation to ensure a fair division. Attorney Akiva Goldman explains that Michigan courts look beyond salary to evaluate the business as a financial engine, focusing on ownership structure and profit margins. • A professional practice is a marital asset if it was started or grew during the marriage. • Experts perform detailed business valuations to determine the actual worth of the practice. • Valuation considers the total income generated, including perks and ownership...
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#ChooseGoldman Attorney Akiva Goldman explains how Michigan divorce judgments remain enforceable across state lines through the legal process of domestication. Even if an ex-spouse relocates, the U.S. Constitution and uniform laws ensure that support and property orders are upheld nationwide. • Court orders and divorce judgments do not lose their power when a person moves to a different state. • Under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, states are constitutionally required to respect and honor orders from other jurisdictions. • Domestication is the specific legal procedure used to register...
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#ChooseGoldman Legal sabotage can be a deliberate and insidious effort to wear you down through delays and false allegations. Attorney Akiva Goldman explains that Michigan courts eventually lose patience with these tactics and will sanction those who use gamesmanship instead of honest advocacy. • Sabotage is often subtle and includes tactics such as missed exchanges, intentional delays, and withholding key financial information. • False allegations regarding substance abuse are common tools used to hinder progress and damage your reputation. • Even if your spouse controlled all the...
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#ChooseGoldman Attorney Akiva Goldman explains that while work is necessary, Michigan courts prioritize parental availability when determining custody and parenting time. If your job prevents you from using your scheduled time or keeps you out of town frequently, it could significantly hurt your legal position. • Availability is considered the key to winning custody as courts look for parents who are physically present for the child. • Working out of town for a majority of the week can lead to a denial of custody requests because the child's daily care is at stake. • Consistently missing...
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#ChooseGoldman Parental alienation often begins with subtle negative comments or inferences that shift blame for financial or scheduling issues onto the other parent. Attorney Akiva Goldman explains that Michigan courts will take action if you can demonstrate a documented pattern of this behavior. • Alienation typically starts with subtle hints that make a child feel the other parent is responsible for their disappointment. • Using child support or financial issues to influence a child's opinion is a common tactic used to damage parental bonds. • Frequent interference with parenting time...
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#ChooseGoldman Fathers often assume they have rights immediately upon a child's birth, but biological ties do not grant automatic legal standing. Attorney Akiva Goldman explains that paternity must be legally established through specific court orders or documentation before a father can seek custody or parenting time. • In Michigan, you are not legally considered the father until paternity is established through an Acknowledgement of Parentage or a court order. • Biological parenthood does not provide automatic rights to custody, parenting time, or legal decision-making. • Establishing...
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#ChooseGoldman The initial steps in a divorce case create a lasting momentum that can determine the outcome of the entire legal process. Seeking early legal direction and organizing your financial records is the most effective way to protect your interests from the start. • Early legal consultation is vital for establishing the correct footing for your divorce case. • You have the right to interview multiple attorneys to find one whose vision matches your own. • Gathering all financial documents immediately prevents being disadvantaged during the early stages. • Legal inertia means...
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Unmarried fathers do not automatically share the same legal presumptions as married parents and typically require a court order to secure their parenting rights. Attorney Akiva Goldman explains that Michigan courts must often intervene through a formal petition to ensure a father's rights are protected and enforceable.
• Unmarried fathers lack the automatic legal presumption of equal parenting rights granted to married couples.
• A formal court order is usually necessary for a father to establish and protect his parental standing.
• While informal or voluntary agreements are possible, they are not legally binding without a judge's order.
• Significant life changes, such as a mother’s new relationship, can lead to disputes that require court enforcement.
• Filing an appropriate motion allows the court to provide remedies and resolve schedule conflicts fairly.
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