Category: False Allegations
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Does “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” Still Apply in Michigan? Understanding When Discipline Becomes Child Abuse
Disciplining Children Under Michigan Law: What Parents Need to Know In today’s legal landscape, physically disciplining a child can lead to serious consequences like criminal charges, CPS investigations, and even loss of parental rights. Michigan law allows parents to use reasonable physical discipline, but the line between discipline and abuse is razor-thin. What one parent…
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Michigan CPS and the Revocation of Parentage Act: Understanding Fathers’ Rights in Child Protective Proceedings
When Child Protective Services (CPS) files a petition in court, complicated questions about paternity often surface. Michigan law recognizes that the man legally identified as a child’s father may not be the biological father, and in child protection cases, this distinction matters. The Revocation of Parentage Act (ROPA) and the Juvenile Code sometimes overlap, creating…
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Rights of Noncustodial Parents in Michigan CPS Cases – Involvement, Notice, and Participation
When Child Protective Services (CPS) becomes involved in a family’s life, the focus is often on the custodial parent. Noncustodial parents are often overlooked in CPS investigations and court proceedings. Whether you live in Michigan or anywhere in the state, understanding your rights as a noncustodial parent can be critical to protecting your relationship with…
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How to Terminate a Guardianship of a Minor Child in Michigan
In Michigan, guardianship gives a non-parent legal authority over a minor child. Guardianship of a minor child can be established voluntarily, through a parent’s consent, or involuntarily by court order when a parent is unable to provide proper care. Guardianship is not necessarily permanent, and if you are seeking to end a guardianship, you should…
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Neglectful Parent v. Incorrigible Child: What the decision in In Re D. V. Lange tells us
When a child’s mental health needs escalate, parents may face choosing between household safety and neglect allegations. Michigan courts are often asked to decide where that line is drawn—particularly when a parent has exhausted treatment options but still cannot safely bring a child home. The case discussed below addresses this exact dilemma and clarifies how…
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What to Expect During a CPS Home Visit in Michigan
If a report has been made against you to Michigan Child Protective Services (CPS), it’s normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed. A CPS investigation can be incredibly intrusive and emotionally draining, especially when you’re not sure what to expect. When there is a report of child abuse or neglect, Michigan CPS normally begins an investigation…
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Understanding Your Rights During a CPS Investigation in Michigan
Becoming the subject of a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation can be very overwhelming for families. Knowing the process of a CPS investigation, what your rights are, and what you should do during an investigation can help ease the stress and could make a substantial difference in the outcome of the investigation. What Does CPS…
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The Movement to Quickly Report Child Abuse … Are There Downsides?
Here in Michigan and nationally, there have been increased measures taken to protect children from neglect and abuse. Keeping children safe is of course a priority, but there is one growing consequence of this movement – falsely accused parents. Our team of experienced CPS defense attorneys sees increasing numbers of false accusations of child abuse…
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CPS And Your Narcissistic Spouse: Should You be Worried About False Claims of Abuse?
Being married to a narcissist is a scary reality for a surprising number of people. The gaslighting, the lies, the manipulation. It can be a terrifying situation, and many people feel trapped in those relationships. And what makes it even worse is that so few other people can see what you see. Narcissists are usually…
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Homeschoolers Are Once Again The Scapegoats in a War on Logic!
If you listen to Michigan Public Radio, then this topic comes as no surprise. You probably heard the recent interview with Rachel Coleman about regulating homeschool in Michigan, and wondered why it was that a tiny percentage of tragedies should be used to determine how thousands of families will be treated. We certainly did! Michigan…