Get the book the judges use. Prepared by ICLE for the SCAO, the Michigan Family Law Benchbook covers the family law matters that judges address. Written from the judge's perspective, it includes handy charts and scripts, along with concise summaries of the law.

With this book, you will be able to:

• Hone your advocacy skills in divorce matters with tips from judges from around the state
• Work more effectively with the Friend of the Court staff
• Advise your clients using the child custody "decision tree" designed by and for judges
• Handle paternity and parenting time issues with the benefit of judicial advice
• See how a judge might evaluate spousal support factors
• Apply complex Michigan and federal Indian child welfare laws

Highlights of the latest update include:

• New Michigan Court of Appeals cases on adoption, separate maintenance, established custodial environment, child support, guardianships, de novo hearings, and best interests factor analysis
• Updates on the right to an abortion in Michigan following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Org
• A new checklist to determine or modify interstate child custody disputes
• Practice tips on defined contribution plans, child support with third-party custodians, and the alternative contempt track docket for child support cases
• Updates on Friend of the Court reports and recommendations, the Domestic Relations Verified Financial Information Form, and the Child Tax Credit