Michigan Family Law Blog

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...

Making the decision to get a divorce is one of the most stressful decisions that one can face in life.  There are always a lot of questions about how it will affect you financially and emotionally, if you have children, then the questions expand exponentially.  This blog is intended to simply add...

There are many issues that one may face when they have to get a divorce.  If there are children, the primary issue will be custody and parenting time and how child support works.  If there is a significant income gap, then alimony or spousal support as it is called in Michigan, will be a major is...

The question of how much a divorce will cost is one of the biggest concerns that many people have when faced with the possibility that the marriage might be over.  There are several costs involved in a divorce: the emotional toll, the division of property and debts, potential alimony or spousal s...

Divorce can be a difficult process for any couple. However, when one of the spouses is a doctor, there could be special issues that create additional disputes and complexities. A professional practice can be challenging to value. Strict laws regarding who can have an ownership interest in medical...

Divorce laws vary by state. If you are considering a divorce, it is a good idea to consult with a Michigan divorce lawyer as soon as possible. An amicable divorce proceeding can quickly become a contested matter. You and your spouse may agree on the terms of your divorce, but it is best to unders...

Spousal support can be one of the most contested issues in a divorce case. Each spouse fights to ensure that he or she is paying or receiving a fair amount of spousal support. Because of recent changes in federal tax laws that impact spousal support, it is important to work with a Michigan divorc...

Divorce can be a complicated legal matter. A couple can begin a divorce proceeding with the intent to reach an amicable agreement. However, the negotiations between the spouses can break down quickly. The parties then find themselves in a highly-contested divorce action. Hiring a Michigan divorce...

While the governor has extended the stay home, stay safe executive order, some of the courts are now proceeding with hearings by Zoom.  This is true in at least Macomb and Wayne Counties. How Will I Know If My Hearing Is Going to Proceed by Zoom? Typically, the court will send out notice to all p...

If you are facing a divorce in Michigan, you may be struggling with how you will survive after divorce and whether or not you will receive future support. A skilled Michigan spousal support attorney will be able to explain spousal support in Michigan and help position you for the best possible re...

The right to parent one's child is a constitutional right that the court's take very seriously.  However, if a parent chooses to use corporal punishment or physically discipline a child, that parent is taking certain risks.  I advise my client's against using corporal punishment with their child....

Many factors influence child custody decisions in Michigan. In some cases, a spouse might allege that a parent's habits, activities, or lifestyle could harm a child if that parent were granted custody of the child. In those cases, the other parent needs to consult with an experienced Michigan div...

This blog is usually written from a more impersonal point of view. The intent is to provide up-to-date information about family law; a term used to describe the area of law that handles divorce, custody, parenting time, alimony, prenuptial and post-divorce issues. However, it is Easter today and ...

The Corona Virus has caused the courts to basically shut down for all purposes except to handle matters that involve essential functions or that are required to sustain or carry-on life.  This means that many people in Michigan who would like to file for divorce or who have already divorced but h...

On Friday, March 27, 27, 2020, I had the opportunity to be part of a zoom conference about family law and specifically parenting time in Michigan while the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order due to the Corona Virus is in effect.  There were several judges, friend of the court referees and divorce lawyers...

The Corona Virus has caused a record high rate of unemployment.  That is a complete understatement but let's hope that the layoffs and unemployment will be a temporary situation.  Thinking optimistically most people that are fortunate to be working from home should be back to their places of empl...

The Corona Virus has caused an enormous amount of disruption with all aspects of life in Michigan.  This includes limited access to the legal system, however courts are still allowing attorneys to file motions and are authorized to hear motions for essential functions and as necessary to maintain...

In some cases, a couple may want to separate before filing for divorce. They may want to work on their marriage through marriage counseling or couples therapy. However, there could be legal implications in seeking a legal separation. It is wise to consult experienced Michigan divorce attorneys be...

One of the complicated aspects of many divorces is the divisions of property and assets. Retirement accounts can be particularly difficult to divide because of the tax liabilities and penalties for early distributions. Our Michigan divorce attorneys work with the courts and retirement account adm...