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Grand Rapids Child Custody Lawyer

Last updated on February 3, 2026

One of the most challenging aspects of a divorce involves child custody. Attorney Mike Toburen at Toburen Law PLC can help his clients navigate child custody agreements so that they can keep their children’s best interests in mind. That way, parents can continue giving their kids the love and support they deserve even though they’re no longer together.

Collaborative And Amicable Custody Solutions

Parents often think of the courtroom first during a dispute. However, many families find that collaborative divorce and mediation lead to better results. This path focuses on cooperation. It allows parents to reach a child custody agreement without the hostility of a trial.

Mike Toburen is an attorney trained in collaborative law. He is also a certified mediator. He facilitates these discussions. In a collaborative process, both parties meet with a shared goal. They agree to resolve disputes outside of court. You and the other parent make the decisions. You do not leave these personal choices to a judge.

This approach offers several benefits:

  • Less stress for children: Low conflict protects children from the emotional toll of a legal fight.
  • Flexible scheduling: Court orders are often rigid. Collaborative solutions allow for custom parenting time. You can account for work shifts, school activities and holiday traditions.
  • Privacy: Court proceedings are public. Mediation and collaborative meetings are private. This keeps your personal matters confidential.
  • Lower costs: Resolving issues through collaboration is usually faster. It costs less than a long trial.

Mike helps families communicate. This builds a foundation for co-parenting after the case ends. Michigan law requires a judge to review all custody agreements. The judge checks if the plan serves the best interests of the child. Even with this review, the collaborative process keeps your voice at the center of the agreement.

Factors Defining The Best Interests Of The Child

In Michigan, the “best interests of the child” are determined by specific factors outlined in the Child Custody Act. These include the emotional ties between the parent and child, the capacity of each party to provide food and medical care, and the permanence of the existing custodial home. By addressing these twelve factors during mediation or collaborative meetings, parents can present a comprehensive plan that meets the court’s requirements while maintaining control over their family’s future.

What Are Parental Rights?

Generally defined as a parent’s right to assume legal and physical custody over their children, determining these rights after a divorce can help guide parents through the parental custody process. Those can include the right to:

  • Assume physical or legal custody over a child.
  • Visit or contact the child.
  • Make medical decisions for the child.
  • Enter into a contract on behalf of the child.
  • Pass property onto a child through inheritance.

These parental rights don’t only account for parents who were married. Michigan law states that parents have equal rights to their children even if they were never married.

What Are The Different Types Of Custody?

These are some of the most common provisions used in child custody agreements:

  • Legal custody: Grants the parent the ability to make legal decisions on behalf of their children.
  • Physical custody: Children live with parents who receive physical custody.
  • Sole custody: This allows one parent legal and physical custody. The other parent may obtain visitation rights. However, they do not have legal and physical custody.
  • Joint legal custody: Both parents can make legal decisions regarding their children. If parents disagree on legal issues, the court can resolve the issue.
  • Joint physical custody: Parents share joint physical custody and children split their time between living with both parents.

Mike couples his years of knowledge and experience with compassion to effectively facilitate child custody cases, ensuring parents can keep their children’s best interests at the forefront.

Start Your Child Custody Consultation In Grand Rapids

Your relationship with your children is the priority. Mike Toburen assists parents with the practical and emotional aspects of these cases. He works on high-conflict disputes and cases where parents live in different states.

At Toburen Law PLC, Mike serves families in Grand Rapids, Kent County and Ottawa County. He works to protect the parent-child bond. Call 616-818-1842 or fill out this online contact form to talk about your custody case. Mike represents clients across Western Michigan from his Grand Rapids office.