Family by Ken Scott, photographer. Used with permission.
Mission
The Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan provides education, information, and analysis about issues of concern through meetings, seminars, this site, public service programs, and publication of a newsletter. Membership in the Section is open to all members of the State Bar of Michigan.
Compliance with the Stay Home Stay Safe Order
All Family Law Section members should have access to the summary, as well as the full text, of Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, 2020-20, issued March 23, 2020. Links to both are included below:
Link to full text PDF
Link to summary
The provisions are effective at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24.
With regard to the effect on parenting time orders, this Executive Order is consistent with the prior Supreme Court Statement that parents are obligated to continue to follow their orders. Governor Whitmer has ordered that transporting children for parenting time exchanges to comply with court orders or agreements is an exception to the “Stay Home” mandate.
Please urge your clients to continue to comply with court orders, or secure agreement with the other parent if there is actual COVID-19 in one home, but not the other, or specific facts in your case warrant such an agreement. Increased use of telephone and video communication should be strongly encouraged as part of the agreement where a child is not able to continue parenting time. The provision of make-up parenting time should also be assured if parenting time cannot continue pursuant to the order.
A draft letter to clients, provided by Richard Roane, Warner, Norcross + Judd, is available here (Word format) and repeated at the end of this message.
Check your local courts’ websites and the most recent Family Law Journal for instructions to join the listserv. Both will help you stay up to date on best practices specifically applicable to your clients/cases.
Liz Bransdorfer
Chair, Family Law Section
Mark Bank
Chapter President, AAML, Michigan Chapter
Join the Section
There are many intricacies of family law that require an attorney to know one's way around the court room, the referee's office, the family law statutes, the court rules, and case law. Attorneys who practice any amount of family law should join the SBM Family Law Section. Section Membership Application PDF
Join a Committee
The Family Law Section offers several committees that may be of interest to you or your practice. Check here for topics, meeting times, and contact options.