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Cases in the state of Michigan only

  • Can Relatives Prevent Parental Rights Termination?

    A child living safely with a relative does not automatically prevent termination of a parent’s rights in Michigan, depending on the circumstances. A recent unpublished Michigan Court of Appeals decision, In re Gall, illustrates why courts must still conduct a separate best-interest analysis before terminating parental rights. What Happened in the Case? The child in…

  • Can CPS Terminate Parental Rights Because a Parent Is a Domestic-Violence Victim?

    A recent Michigan Court of Appeals decision illustrates a difficult issue in child protective proceedings: a parent who is the victim of domestic violence cannot lose parental rights simply because of that victimization. But the analysis can change when the parent’s own conduct continues to expose a child to the risk of harm. In In…

  • Michigan CPS: Past Abuse of One Child Does Not Automatically End Parental Rights to Another

    A new published Michigan Court of Appeals decision provides important guidance for parents involved in child protective proceedings. In In re C. Pacyga, No. 375267 (Mich. Ct. App. Aug. 13, 2026), the Court held that a parent’s past abuse of one child may be relevant when evaluating the safety of another child, but past conduct…

  • Michigan CPS Child Hearsay Exception Explained

    When a Child Protective Services (CPS) case begins, many parents are surprised to learn that a child’s out-of-court statement may influence what happens in court. Whether that statement can be considered depends on the stage of the child protective proceeding. Michigan law treats preliminary hearings differently from adjudication trials, and understanding that distinction is essential.…

  • Michigan Supreme Court Decision Addresses Expert Testimony Limits

    Michigan Supreme Court Decisions The Michigan Supreme Court recently issued an important decision addressing the proper role of expert witnesses in criminal trials. In People v. Alexander, the Court examined whether a child abuse pediatrician’s testimony diagnosing a child with “medical torture” was admissible when the defendant was charged with the crime of torture. The…

  • Michigan Court of Appeals Reverses Child Removal Order After Serious Due Process Violations

    When Michigan’s Children’s Protective Services (CPS), a division of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks to remove children from a parent’s care, strict procedural safeguards apply. In a significant published decision, the Michigan Court of Appeals recently reaffirmed that courts and agencies must follow those rules before separating families. In re Shimmons/Hare,…

  • Understanding Arrearages in Michigan Child Support Cases Involving CPS

    By Attorney Brandy Thompson CPS involvement can trigger a child support order. Many parents land in arrears before making a single payment. Understanding why this happens can help you navigate your case. What Does “Arrearage” Actually Mean? In the context of Michigan child support law, an arrearage (MCL 552.605c) refers to any outstanding, unpaid balance…

  • When CPS Can Skip Reunification and Go Straight to Termination of Parental Rights in Michigan

    If you are a Michigan parent facing a Children’s Protective Services (CPS) investigation, one of the most important things you need to understand is that not all CPS cases follow the same timeline. In most cases, CPS provides parents with ‘services’ — parenting classes, counseling, and drug treatment — and allows them to work toward…

  • The Hidden Crisis: Mortality Rates Among Former Foster Youth in Michigan

    Michigan’s foster care system is designed to protect children from harm and provide stability when their families cannot. Growing research shows children in foster care face significantly higher risks of poor health and premature death. A Swedish longitudinal study found that individuals who had been in foster care were four times more likely to die…

  •  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…