Michigan Family Law Blog

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...

Divorce is a common reason for filing for bankruptcy relief. In some cases, both spouses may need assistance from the bankruptcy court to overcome the financial stress caused by a divorce. In other cases, one spouse may need to file a bankruptcy case because of the divorce. In either case, it is ...

There could be many reasons your child may resist visitation with his or her other parent. As children grow older, they may prefer to socialize with their peers instead of visiting their other parent. Younger children may be hesitant to spend the night in another home. Children may also dislike s...

Co-parenting can be difficult for parents who are married. However, when parents divorce, co-parenting can become more of a challenge. Children have two “homes” that might have two sets of rules. During the school year, a child can suffer if parents are not able to work together to provide stabil...

Would you be willing to enter a prenuptial agreement before marriage? If not, you probably would be against a law requiring couples to enter a prenuptial agreement. Three years ago, the idea was raised in Australia. Two-thirds of the respondents to a poll on Debate.org were in favor of mandatory ...

Custody cases can be some of the most difficult family court cases that judges have to decide in Michigan. Both parents believe they know what is best for their child, but the court must determine what is in the best interest of the child based on several factors. The judge can consider any facto...

The house and other real estate is considered part of the property division involved in a divorce.  If one party wants to keep the house, then typically that spouse would have to "buy-out" the other spouse's fifty (50%) percent equity or offset that equity with other property of roughly equal val...

Q: Do grandparents have a right to visitation time with grandkids? Grandparents: all the fun spoiling without the hard, parental stuff. Grandparenting has been called the reward for surviving your own kid's teenage years. The bond between grandparents and their grandchildren is strong and special...

Q: My Spouse Filed For Divorce and I Was Completely Blind-sided.  What Do I Do? I am sure that it feels like your world is coming apart right now and that everything that matters to you is falling apart.  Call your friends and family to talk about it.  Take deep breaths and concentrate on your br...

There are many consequences of getting a divorce in Michigan. One consequence overlooked by some individuals is the financial consequences of a divorce. Transitioning from one household to two separate households can be difficult. The couple now has to pay twice as much to support the family as i...

Custody and parenting time in Michigan, which is sometimes referred to as child visitation in other states, is often the most difficult aspect of any divorce case.  These issues can be even more complicated where the prospective parents were not married and may have had only a casual dating relat...

In recent years, Oakland County Michigan divorce attorneys often hear about cases where divorced or divorcing parents disagree about whether their child or children should be given various vaccinations.  Where the parents are still married it is clear that neither parent can force the other paren...

A Lothario, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is "a man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in his sexual relationships with women.  'they are seduced by a handsome Lothario who gains control of their financial affairs."  Oakland County Michigan divorce attorneys all too often come across c...

More often than not, Oakland County Michigan divorce attorneys hear clients complain that they want a divorce for common reasons like infidelity, addiction, abuse, or even because they just grew apart. Whatever the reason the marriage broke down, they want out—and the sooner the better. Many, esp...

Q: What happens to a prenuptial agreement if the wedding isn't valid? A “prenup”, as prenuptial agreements are called, is a contract between two unmarried people who are preparing to marry and want to maintain their own separate assets and income after the marriage. Michigan prenuptial agreement ...

Q: If I Am Ordered to Pay Alimony or Spousal Support, Will it Terminate When I Retire? If the family court in Oakland, Michigan, has ordered you to pay alimony also known as spousal support in Michigan, then you may wonder whether your obligation will end when you retire.  The answer is maybe. Fi...

Q: Is there anything clients can do to lower the cost of divorce? If you're considering getting divorced in Oakland, Michigan, you will likely seek out a divorce attorney that exclusively practices in family law and is compassionate and accessible. But it's also important to find an attorney that...

Q: I Am Thinking About Filing For Divorce After the Holidays.  Is There Anything I Should Do Now? When you're getting divorced in Michigan, there can be many different issues to resolve.  Almost all cases will involve the division of property and debt.  How property is titled or held or whom incu...

Q: After Alimony Has Ended, Can A Judge Reinstate It? If you're considering getting divorced in Michigan, then you most likely understand that you will have to divide your property and debts as part of the process.  In addition, depending on the facts of your specific case, alimony, or spousal su...

Q: Can a Parent's Move or Job Change Cause a Change in Custody or Parenting Time? If you're considering getting divorced in Michigan, and you have minor children; custody and parenting time can be a very difficult issue.  Even after the divorce itself is over custody or parenting time may change ...