Posted: Aug 1, 2016, 10:20 AM
The Michigan Court of Appeals (COA) concluded that the equitable-parent doctrine does not extend to unmarried couples, whether heterosexual or same-sex couples. And, because the doctrine doesn’t apply, Plaintiff Michelle Lake does not have standing to seek parenting time with the child. Therefore, the COA remanded the matter back to the trial court for entry of an order granting summary disposition in the defendant’s favor. Judge Douglas B. Shapiro wrote a concurring opinion, stating the circumstances where he could see a different outcome