What is an established custodial environment?

Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz & Associates

Where a change of custody is sought, the initial inquiry is whether there is an established custodial environment.

An established custodial environment (ECE) is an environment of “significant duration in which a parent provides care, discipline, love, guidance, and attention that is appropriate to the age and individual needs of the child. It is both a physical and a psychological environment that fosters a relationship between custodian and child and is marked by security, stability, and performance.” Berger v. Berger, 277 Mich. App 700 (2008).

Determining which party has the ECE is a question of fact. The court may find that an ECE exists with both parents.

For more information regarding the established custodial environment, contact the attorneys at SMDA, P.C. for a free consultation.

Related Posts: Holiday Parenting Time, Best Interest Factors: What are they?, What is “proper cause” to challenge custody?, What is the difference between legal custody and physical custody?

Client Reviews

Thanks so much for all your help these past five years in helping me with all the legal aspects of my folks, L & E.M's, trust. Thanks for answering all my questions. It's been a difficult last 5 years on making decisions for my father, but I'm so grateful that god blessed me with them for so many...

D.C.

I want to thank you both for all your help and hard work on my case. This certainly was good news! You both did tremendous jobs dealing with Cigna and answering my questions. Thank you and have a wonderful Christmas season!

Marc

Thank you so much for all of your help getting me thru this mess. You have no idea how much you have helped. I couldn’t have done this without you! Only one more hurdle, yay!!

B.T.

I really wanted to thank you, the way you talked with me and worked with me, it was amazing. I was dreading the experience & the deposition & you really made it very easy for me. So, thank you very much for a job well done.

H.H.

Contact Us

  1. 1 Free Consultation
  2. 2 No Fee Guarantee (for Contingent Fee Work)
  3. 3 Let Us Answer Your Questions
Fill out the contact form or call us at (866) 529-3537 to schedule your free consultation.

Leave Us a Message