Michigan Family Law Blog

Many people do not realize the impact that divorce can have on their ability to move if they have minor children. Michigan law usually requires you to get the approval of a judge, whether you have joint custody or sole (primary) custody, to move with a minor child who is the subject of a custody ...

Custody and parenting time are always modifiable in Michigan, even after a divorce, until the children reach the age of eighteen (18).  While it is unfortunate, there are sometimes reasons that one parent may not be able to continue to handle parenting time as ordered in the Judgment or that the ...

Navigating a divorce is difficult under the best circumstances; it is an extremely taxing life event, emotionally, physically, and financially. Seeking wise counsel, establishing a strong support system, and taking extreme self-care are critical to managing the stress of divorce. Fast forward to ...

Divorce is a complicated process, especially when trying to navigate child custody concerns. Michigan divorce attorneys find that most parenting questions during divorce arise from confusion surrounding custodial rights, specifically joint vs. sole custody and physical vs. legal custody. For a be...

Michigan law requires courts making decisions about child custody to put the child's well-being first, over the wishes of the parents. Judges accomplish this goal by using the “best interests of the child” standard. Before a court can enter an order of custody or visitation, it must make a findin...

Getting a prenuptial agreement that will stand up in court is a multi-step process in Michigan. These agreements, also called antenuptial agreements, control what will happen to the assets of the two people who are about to get married if the marriage terminates by divorce, separation, or annulme...

When you need legal help to get or keep custody of your child, you might be worried about how you will pay the legal fees for the court battle. Depending on the issues of your custody dispute and how litigious the other parent is, the cost of fighting your child's other parent could be substantia...

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 ...