Experienced custody representation for Oakland County parents. Determinations, modifications, parenting time, and relocation disputes.
Call (248) 712-1462Practicing daily in the courts where your case will be heard.
370 E. Maple Road, 3rd Floor, in the heart of downtown.
Prepared for every stage, from the Friend of the Court to the bench.
Custody disputes determine where your children live, how they are raised, and what role each parent plays in their daily life. The attorney you choose for this work needs courtroom ability, local knowledge, and the judgment to know when to negotiate and when to fight.
Jordan Dizik is regularly called upon by other attorneys to represent them in their own family law matters. When lawyers trust a colleague with their own custody case, that says more about skill and judgment than any advertisement can.
Most custody disputes settle, but the cases that settle on favorable terms are the ones prepared for trial. Jordan has tried custody matters before Oakland County Circuit Court judges and handled appeals when trial court decisions needed to be challenged. That preparation shapes every recommendation, every filing, and every negotiation.
You will work directly with Jordan Dizik throughout your case. The attorney who listens to your concerns at the consultation is the same attorney who will cross-examine witnesses, argue motions, and stand next to you in court.
Initial custody orders in divorce or paternity proceedings. We build the factual record courts need to evaluate the 12 best-interest factors under Michigan law and position your case from the start. For background on how Michigan approaches custody, see our guide to child custody in Michigan.
Negotiating and litigating parenting time schedules that reflect each family's actual circumstances, including school calendars, holiday arrangements, and long-distance logistics.
When circumstances change, existing custody orders may need to change with them. We handle motions to modify custody, including the threshold showing of proper cause or change of circumstances required before the court will revisit the best-interest factors.
Michigan law restricts a custodial parent from moving more than 100 miles from the child's legal residence without court approval. We represent both parents seeking permission to relocate and parents opposing a proposed move.
The Oakland County Friend of the Court plays a significant role in custody and parenting time disputes. We prepare clients for FOC investigations, respond to FOC recommendations, and file objections and requests for de novo hearings when the recommendation does not reflect the evidence.
Michigan courts decide custody by evaluating 12 best-interest factors set out in MCL 722.23. These factors cover the emotional bond between parent and child, each parent's capacity to provide for the child's needs, the stability of each home environment, the child's adjustment to home and school, and the mental and physical health of all parties involved, among others. No single factor is automatically decisive. The court considers all 12 and weighs them based on the specific facts of each case.
In Oakland County, the Friend of the Court typically conducts an investigation before the case reaches the judge. The FOC may interview both parents, visit each home, speak with the children (depending on age and maturity), and review school, medical, and other records. The FOC then issues a written recommendation. Either parent can object to that recommendation and request a de novo hearing, which means the judge decides the issue from scratch rather than simply adopting the FOC's position.
Evidence matters. According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 81% of divorce attorneys report increased use of social media evidence in custody cases. Text messages, emails, school records, and testimony from teachers or counselors all play a role. Building a strong evidentiary record from the beginning of your case is one of the most important things a custody attorney can do.
For a broader overview of Michigan custody law, see Child Custody in Michigan: What Parents Need to Know. If your custody dispute arises in the context of a divorce, How Divorce Works in Michigan covers the full process.
Michigan courts apply the 12 best-interest factors listed in MCL 722.23. These include the emotional bond between parent and child, each parent's capacity to provide food, clothing, and medical care, the stability of each home environment, and the child's established custodial environment. Oakland County judges weigh all 12 factors on the specific facts of each case.
The Oakland County Friend of the Court investigates custody and parenting time disputes and issues a recommendation to the judge. The FOC may interview both parents, visit each home, speak with the children (depending on age), and review relevant records. Either party can object to the recommendation and request a de novo hearing before the judge.
Yes, but Michigan law requires you to show proper cause or a change of circumstances before the court will revisit custody. If the child has an established custodial environment, the parent seeking the change must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the modification serves the child's best interests.
It can. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reports that 81% of divorce attorneys have seen increased use of social media evidence in custody proceedings. Posts, photos, and messages that contradict a parent's claims about lifestyle, parenting involvement, or finances are routinely introduced in Oakland County cases.
Michigan law restricts a custodial parent from moving more than 100 miles from the child's legal residence without court approval or the other parent's written consent. Relocation disputes are decided under a separate set of statutory factors. If you are considering a move, legal counsel before you act is essential.
If you are facing a custody dispute, need to modify an existing order, or want to understand your rights as a parent, the most useful first step is a direct conversation. Call the firm or request a consultation below.
Call (248) 712-1462Consultations are confidential. Evening and weekend appointments available.