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Can I Put My Kids In Sports After A Divorce In Michigan Without The Consent Of My Ex?

Posted by Cameron Goulding | Oct 08, 2024 | 0 Comments

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Divorce is a difficult process to go through and typically causes massive change in a person's life, but at some point, the divorce process comes to an end.  However, when you have children together, issues can arise until the youngest child reaches the age of majority (and even after that, but the law does not typically address issues that arise after the child is no longer a minor).  This blog is written to generally address the issue of whether one parent can put a kid in a sport or sports without the consent of the other parent.  If you have particular questions about your own situation, please contact us to schedule a consultation by clicking on this link or calling us at (248) 608-4123.

Can I Put My Kids In Sports After a Divorce In Michigan Without The Consent Of My Ex?

First, it is always a good idea to at the very least advise the other parent if you plan to enroll the child in any activity before you mention it to the child or enroll the child in the activity.  If your ex agrees with you that the child can be enrolled in a sport, then there really is no issue.  Also, if a child participated in a sport or activity before the divorce, the court will most likely order that the child be allowed to continue to participate unless there is some very strong reason why the child should not be allowed to continue in that sport.  The most typical reason would be failing in school due to the time spent on sports and other activities when there is little or no likely possibility that it will lead to a scholarship or professional career.  Finally, if you have sole legal custody you do not have to get the permission of the other parent to enroll the child in any activity or sport, you may just enroll the child and put the kid in the sport.

If you want to put the child in an activity that will occur only during your parenting time and not your ex's designated parenting time at all, then you typically do not have to obtain permission or consent from the other parent to put the child in that activity.  However, many judgments of divorce or settlement agreements include a provision that states if one parent wants to enroll a child in an activity and get the other parent to share in the costs of that activity, then the parent seeking to put the child in the sport will have to obtain the written agreement (e-mail or text is usually acceptable) of the other parent prior to enrolling the kid.  If you do not obtain that agreement, then you will most likely have to pay for all the costs associated with the activity.

If you want to enroll a child in a sport like football, soccer, swimming, baseball, volleyball or any other sport that requires daily practices during the week with games that occur on the weekends, then most likely some of these practices or games will be scheduled to take place during the other parent's designated parenting time.  This means that you will have to obtain written permission from the ex before you enroll the child in the sport.  If the ex unreasonably withholds consent, then you have the right to file a motion with the court requesting the court to order that the child be allowed to participate in the activity, that either the other parent or you will be responsible for transporting the child to and from the activity during the other parent's designated parenting time and that the other parent must contribute to the costs associated with the sport or other activity.

This blog very broadly addresses the issue of putting a child in a sport with or without the permission of the other parent or ex.  If you have additional questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation by clicking on this link or calling (248) 608-4123. 

About the Author

Cameron Goulding

A native of Oakland County, Michigan, family lawyer Cameron C. Goulding has been providing counseling and legal services of the highest caliber to individuals and families in Southeastern Michigan for over 24 years. Mr. Goulding grew up in Oakland County, Michigan and graduated from Birmingham G...

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