6632 Telegraph Rd, Ste 110
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
248-559-DADS
info@dadsofmichigan.org

DADS and MOMS NEWSLETTER

Please find attached a brief report of some of the many activities going on around the state and country. There is a lot more to report so check the DADS web site Message Forum for the latest news.

for information call 248-559-DADS(3237) or 517-437-9547

DADS Monthly Meeting, Tuesday November 1^st, 2005

Location
THE BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY HOUSE
380 South Bates Street
BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009
Located in Downtown Birmingham, call for directions-248-644-5832.

Guest speaker:	PAUL J. FISCHER, Director Judicial Tenure Commission - State of Michigan
Agenda:	5:30 - 6:30 Counsel Session
	7:00 - 7:30 Dads Presentation
	7:30 - 9:00 Guest Speaker, Paul J. Fischer
	9:00 - 9:30 Legal roundtable with various legal counsel

FOR INFORMATION, CALL
248-559-DADS OR 248-766-4484
To host a meeting in your area, contact the DADS of Michigan business office, 248-559-3237.


Michigan Legislative Update
Several people attended the Michigan Republic conference on Mackinac Island and met many Senators and Representatives. In addition, several people have participated in several campaign fund raisers of candidates. We need you to take an active role to meet the candidates, help them understand the issues, and provide the campaign support

Here is a summary of some recent legislation in progress and the strategy is to call your Senator AND Representative to get them to sign up for a bill or take action.

1. Pass HB 5267 (equal parenting)
2. Pass HB 4161 (eliminate presumption of Mom custody in unwed situations)
3. Pass SB 436 and HB 5088 (paternity)
4. Pass HB 5100 and SB 0714 (military custody)
4. Introduce legislation to eliminate the Strict Liability law MCL 750.165 on child support.
5. Veto/modify the US Bradley Amendment USC 666 at the federal level - child support
6. Update VAWA (Domestic Violence) to include language for gender neutrality
7. Repeal SB 263 (Hearsay evidence allowed for domestic violence)
8. Introduce legislation to require update of child support guidelines based on SER or foster care guidelines.
9. Enforce FOC to follow child support guidelines when you loose your job, disabled, activated in the military (Michigan FOC frequently will not modify support)

Check this site for the bills: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/

Additionally
1. Tell 2 people every day.
2. Attend and meet legislators campaigning for office

What I want to EMPHASIZE is that Moms and Dads of Michigan is not a Fathers Rights organization. Our message is one of gender neutrality and that the Best Parent is Both Parents.

We will need your financial support to get these bills passed.

Family law
Updated Bills or Resolutions:

• HB 5326 of 2005
  Family law; domestic violence; domestic violence prevention and treatment board; provide for membership from certain geographic regions. Amends sec. 2 of 1978 PA 389 (MCL 400.1502).
• SB 0811 of 2005
  Gaming; lottery; payment of child support arrearages from lottery winnings; establish as first priority.

LEGISLATIVE FORUM, Tuesday, November 8^th
We will have a Legislative Forum in Lansing's House Office Building, Mackinac Room on Tuesday, November 8 from 11:30-1:00 PM. You need to be there. Visit your legislator before the meeting.

This meeting will serve to brief legislators and guests on current family law issues.

Guest speakers include several prominent legislators and social experts.


Book Review COMEBACK DADS
http://www.comebackdads.com/

We are dads, stepmothers, grandparents, family therapists, lawyers and others who aim to change laws that guide family courts. We want children of divorced families to have nearly equal time with their moms and dads where both are fit parents. We want joint custody in most cases.

If you're a divorced dad, our book Comeback Dads, by James Dunn provides support and encouragement. Read stories about other divorced dads who face discrimination, loss of custody, unfair restraining orders, false allegations of abuse, even jail time. See the Shared Parenting Bill, proposed legislation designed to rebalance family court. Read perspectives from psychotherapists and attorneys on the family court system.

If you're an attorney or family therapist who works with divorcing families, Comeback Dads may validate your perceptions of a troubled family court that destroys families and perpetuates conflict.

It's time to upgrade family courts so moms and dads are treated equally. Join us! Purchasing the book will help drive legislative reform. Come on in and check out excerpts from Comeback Dads. Get an update on the Shared Parenting Bill. Pick up practical tips if you're in the middle of divorce.

KRights Radio – Military and Family Issues

Check the web broadcast at Military and Family Issues http://krightsradio.com/militaryissues.php


PARENTING PLANS http://www.dadsofmichigan.org/legal.html

A Parenting Agreement is a legal binding contract that has been prepared to inform you of certain rights you may have, and certain procedures that may be involved in a child custody and parenting situation.

The foundation of a strong parenting relationship is developed from a well-structured "Parenting Agreement", or sometimes called a "Parenting Plan". This type of agreement is so useful and effective, that most states have made them mandatory!

A parenting plan is an agreement, in writing, that you can make with the other parent on any aspect of your child's upbringing. The plan can cover where your children will live, who they can see, their schooling, holidays, religious and medical matters. A parenting plan can help you and the other parent be clear about arrangements for your children.

A Few Reasons to Have a Parenting Agreement!

1. Eliminate any surprises. What is put in writing is understood!

2. If the other parent continuously breaks the agreement, you will have proof that he or she agreed to in writing not do such actions. This will help you if you need to petition the court to have the custody, visitation, or support arrangements modified.

3. As a reference tool to make sure you and your spouse are sticking to the original parenting plan. You will be surprised how quick one or both parents may deviate from the original plan. Sometimes this happens intentionally and not intentionally.

4. Incorporate it as part of your Marital Separation or Settlement Agreement. This way the court will also have a record and a copy of the "Parenting Agreement" as well. This tends to make both parents live up to his or her parenting responsibilities.

Sample parenting plans have been adopted in a variety of states. These may be modified and attached to your divorce decree or introduced to the Friend of the Court to enforce visitation and parenting time. Additional modifications may be made to provide penalties for non-compliance.

 

"your individual child custody situation will not
easily change until it changes for us all"