Custody for Father?

DO YOU EVEN HAVE CUSTODY OVER YOUR OWN CHILD?

Question: In Michigan, if Boyfriend and Girlfriend have a child and both appear on birth certificate, does Boyfriend have custody?

Answer: NO.  Until Boyfriend obtains an Order of Custody in court, he technically has no custody rights of his own child (relative to the mother).  See MCL 722.1006, which states:

After a mother and father sign an acknowledgment of parentage, the mother has initial custody of the minor child, without prejudice to the determination of either parent’s custodial rights, until otherwise determined by the court or otherwise agreed upon by the parties in writing and acknowledged by the court. This grant of initial custody to the mother shall not, by itself, affect the rights of either parent in a proceeding to seek a court order for custody or parenting time.