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Why I Chose The Case That I Am Active Duty Military

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The reason I chose the case that I did is multi-fold. One, I have been dealing with the State of Michigan courts as recently as today concerning family law since my divorce in 2002. Michigan is a state that gives very little deference to a child’s wish of who they want to live with (regardless of age or maturity) regardless of how equal the living arrangements are (e.g. healthy environment, good schools etc.). In fact it was only relatively recently that Michigan finally changed its laws and assumed a 50/50 split in custody so long as it is in the best interest of the child. The second is that I am active duty military (Army) and feel at times this gave me a distinct disadvantage even though my job is permanently non-deployable, yet I move every few years technically having to ask the court for permission. This is not to say I disagree with the “best interest” factor, but the courts have –in my opinion- way too much say in this matter. So much so that recently the Honorable Lisa Gorcyca (the judge permanently assigned to my case) made headlines for jailing three children for not “having a relationship with their faither” in “direct contempt” of the court. I must say I agreed with her order after reading the transcripts as I was borderline a victim of parental alienation. But that is another posting some other time.*Note: Prior to Judge Gorcyca, I had another judge and in comparison, I find Judge Gorcyca to be one of the most fair and equitable judge I have been in front

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