Michigan Family Law Blog

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...

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...