Legal Question in Family Law in Michigan

Re: Children

This is a very common question!

For better or for worse, currently the State of Michigan does not have a formal law that states what age a child may be left home alone. Very few states have this regulation, though there are recommendations in place.

In a State of Michigan Child Protection Handbook (Last updated November, 2006), it states: "According to the Child Protection Law, there is no legal age that a child can be left home alone. It is determined on a case by case basis but as a rule of thumb, a child 10-years old and younger is not responsible enough to be left home alone. A child over the age of 10 and under the age of 12 will be evaluated but the case may not always be assigned for a CPS [Child Protective Services] investigation."