[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/blog\/what-should-you-not-say-in-family-court\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/blog\/what-should-you-not-say-in-family-court\/","headline":"Things You Shouldn’t Say in Family Court","name":"Things You Shouldn’t Say in Family Court","description":"Going to court in a custody battle can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if your parental rights and relationship with your child are on the line. Many parents are worried about how to testify in family court and make a … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2022-07-04","dateModified":"2025-04-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/blog\/author\/nmichlaw\/#Person","name":"Alward Fisher","url":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/blog\/author\/nmichlaw\/","identifier":10,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63071aa228c966abd886a2cbb647b07806c39706d3fbac14fe9c4c475edc7457?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63071aa228c966abd886a2cbb647b07806c39706d3fbac14fe9c4c475edc7457?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Alward Fisher","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/logo-fisher.png","url":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/logo-fisher.png","width":288,"height":103}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/family-court.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/family-court.jpg","height":600,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/blog\/what-should-you-not-say-in-family-court\/","about":["Family Law"],"wordCount":600,"articleBody":"Going to court in a custody battle can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if your parental rights and relationship with your child are on the line. Many parents are worried about how to testify in family court and make a good impression. You don\u2019t want to let anxiety cause you to say or do something you\u2019ll later regret, as it could have serious consequences down the road.Contact the compassionate family lawyers at Alward Fisher for more information on things to say in court, how to speak to a judge in family court, and more.How Do Judges Make Custody Decisions?In Michigan, judges must consider the \u201cbest interests of the child.\u201d A court determines a child\u2019s best interests after evaluating all the applicable statutory factors listed in\u00a0MCL \u00a7722.23, which includes the following:The affection and emotional ties between the parents and the childEach parent\u2019s ability to provide the child with affection and guidance to support the education and moral development of the childEach parent\u2019s ability to provide for the child\u2019s material needs, including food, clothing, housing, and medical careThe length of time the child has lived in their present custody arrangement, as well as the stability and suitability of that arrangementThe permanency of the family unit in the existing or proposed homesEach parent\u2019s moral fitness and mental and physical healthThe child’s school and community involvementEach parent\u2019s willingness and ability to encourage a close relationship between their child and the other parentAny history of domestic violence by either parentThe preferences of the child, if the court finds the child of sufficient age and maturity to express a well-reasoned preferenceWhat Things You Should Never Say in CourtWhile you may be prepared to fight to protect your relationship with your child and do what\u2019s best for them, you need to be mindful of your statements and behavior in court. Saying the wrong thing may cause the judge to issue a custody determination other than the one you prefer.Try to avoid the following:Angry or disrespectful statements \u2014 Whether directed towards your co-parent, social workers, or the judge, being rude can cause you to appear unwilling to have a healthy environment for your child.Anything that doesn\u2019t directly answer a question you were asked \u2014 Saying more than is needed can open the door to topics unfavorable to your case.Any exaggerations, misrepresentations, or lies \u2014 Misleading the court while you\u2019re under oath is perjury and could cause the judge to doubt anything else you say.How to Impress a Judge in CourtOn the other hand, here are a few ways you could impress the judge in a way that could positively influence your case:Hire legal counsel so that the necessary documents are completely and correctly submittedStay calm and respectful when interacting with your child\u2019s other parent, their attorney, the judge, and court staffDuring court proceedings, always address the court instead of your child\u2019s other parent or their attorneyIf you think something said is misleading or inaccurate, make an objection to the judge rather than arguing with the other partyContact Alward Fisher for a Free Consultation with a Family Law AttorneyIf you find yourself in the middle of a child custody or child support dispute, you need experienced legal representation to protect your and your children\u2019s interests. Contact Alward Fisher today for a free, confidential case review with a family law attorney from our firm to find out how we can help."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Things You Shouldn’t Say in Family Court","item":"https:\/\/nmichlaw.com\/blog\/what-should-you-not-say-in-family-court\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]