Michigan Family Law Blog

Sometimes people think about getting a legal separation because they think it will cost less than a divorce, but in reality, a legal separation can cost as much as or more than a divorce. Every case is different, so the costs will vary, based on factors like whether you and your spouse have alrea...

The cost of your divorce will depend on several factors, like how complicated your situation is and whether you and your spouse can resolve your differences amicably. Even in a non-contested divorce, you will have court fees. Attorney fees can vary widely. Some people try to act as their own lawy...

Couples file for divorce for many reasons. However, some reasons are more common than other reasons. Regardless of the reason for the divorce, it is always a good idea to consult with a Michigan divorce attorney before making any decisions that could impact your future. Five Common Reasons for Di...

It is more difficult to get an annulment than a divorce in Michigan because an annulment is a legal process that “cancels” a marriage or treats it as if it never happened. After getting an annulment, either party can truthfully say that, as to that relationship, they never were married. Because o...

There are many very serious issues that one may face in a divorce that may have a significant impact on their family and finances.  However, there are also many other details that one must address in a divorce matter that range from the mundane to the more important.  One issue that often comes u...

Your spouse cannot stop you from getting a divorce in Michigan. You do not have to get your spouse's consent or prove marital misconduct because Michigan has no-fault divorce. No matter how much your spouse wants to stay married, you do not have to remain in the marriage. A Michigan divorce attor...

Protective orders in Michigan also get called restraining orders or “personal protection orders” (PPOs). If someone hurts, harasses, threatens, or stalks you, a court can enter an order telling the person to stop. You must convince the judge that you have a reasonable fear for your personal safet...

When the spouse of a custodial parent adopts the parent's child, the court process they use is stepparent adoption. Stepparent adoption in Michigan can happen after the biological parents get a divorce. If the biological parents never were married, a stepparent adoption can also be an option. A M...

Just because the divorce is over does not meant that custody and parenting time cannot change.  Custody is modifiable so long as the child remains a minor.  It is very difficult to change the custody of a child and it may require several appearances in court before the judge will consider modifyi...

Going through a divorce is a stressful time. It can relieve some of your anxiety if you know what the Michigan divorce process is like.* Sometimes, fear of the unknown is worse than the thing itself. A Michigan divorce attorney can help you navigate through the steps of getting a divorce. The Div...

Raising children can be difficult enough when you are married. Co-parenting after divorce can be much more challenging. You might have to deal with your former spouse's new significant other. You could still have hurt feelings and anger. Financial struggles are common after divorce. Either you or...

The vast majority of appeals get filed shortly after the divorce is over, but sometimes it is necessary to appeal a judge's ruling while the case is still pending. This type of appeal is called an interlocutory appeal. The Michigan Court Rules authorize interlocutory appeals and create the framew...

There are many issues that people face when it comes to divorce or separation including custody, parenting time and alimony but almost every case involves the division of property and debt. Student loans are handled as part of the property division that must take place in almost every divorce. Ho...

From time-to-time the Michigan Court of Appeals will issue an opinion that reflects how the court or case law have evolved over time to reflect changes in society.  Where the norm was once a married couple where the husband worked and the wife stayed home to care for the children, society has evo...

There are many potential issues that one might face during a divorce including custody, parenting time, alimony and child support but almost every case involves the division of the couple's property and debts.   How Does a Court Divide Property Between the Divorcing Couple? The general rule is th...

Child custody arrangements can present specific challenges and bring into question your rights as a parent, even in the most amicable circumstances. Meeting the needs of a child, satisfy the wants of each parent, and legally comply with Michigan's child custody laws can feel overwhelming, and you...

If a person is not able to handle their affairs or is deemed legally incompetent, then in most cases, the court will appoint a guardian to handle that person's affairs.  The guardian then can make decisions on that person's behalf for medical care, living arrangements and basically all of the per...

Michigan residents seeking a divorce should retain a skilled Michigan divorce attorney to represent them. While there are do-it-yourself options, the complexities of divorce invariably raise questions that generally demand legal expertise. Additionally, having a divorce lawyer on your side means ...

Michigan's Supreme Court has issued orders that affect the handling of family law cases during the coronavirus pandemic. Families attempting to navigate already stressful divorce and child custody matters may find these changes particularly overwhelming. Whether your family law case needs to be f...

Divorce laws vary by state and can include very complicated issues.  One issue that comes up in almost every case is division of property and debts and even this can be very complicated.  If you are considering a divorce, it is a good idea to consult with a Michigan divorce lawyer as soon as poss...

Going through a divorce can be stressful. There may be several matters to resolve related to domestic support, children, and property division, depending on the couple's circumstances. Parties who want to avoid a trial may choose divorce mediation to settle these matters. With the help of a Michi...

In most cases, it is clear where someone should file their divorce case or custody case because the parties both reside in the same county in Michigan.  However, given our highly mobile society and situations where one parent is working on assignment in another state or another country, the follo...

When married partners confront divorce, financial uncertainty is a common worry. Most states have clear divorce laws governing the division of assets and debts, as well as strict guidelines determining the amount and duration of future support payments known as alimony. Upon ending their relatio...

Parental kidnapping is a crime in the state of Michigan. The other parent can call the police or contact the prosecuting attorney and request that the parent who refuses to allow the parenting time gets charged with the crime of parental kidnapping. These cases tend to be high-conflict, so you mi...

Prenuptial agreements are valid and enforceable in Michigan.  This has not always been the case so there are still many people in this state that believe they cannot get a prenuptial agreement.  That is simply not true, they are called post nuptial agreements but all the same, they are enforceabl...