Divorce

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

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 

Making the decision to get a divorce is one of the most stressful things 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 address the procedure for starting a divorce case in Michigan.  Of course, we always recommend that before you actually initiate a divorce, even if you do not intend to use an attorney throughout the process, that you at least schedule a consultation with a 

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 issue.  One issue that comes up in almost all divorce cases is what do we do with the marital home?

There are basically three options.  The first option is to sell the home and divide any proceeds or share any deficiency/debt.

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 support or child support.  Those costs are beyond the scope of this blog and are addressed throughout my website and in previous blogs.  Today I am addressing the issue of attorney fees.

If you have a relatively simple divorce matter and you and your spouse appear to be in agreement about how to handle custody and parenting time or how to divide your property and move forward, then you should be able to find an affordable divorce lawyer.

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 practice must be considered and followed.

Additionally, the demands on a medical professional’s time can make scheduling appointments, conferences, and hearings more difficult.

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.

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

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

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 parties, including the attorneys and the actual people involved in the case.  IF you have not received notice and your case is scheduled for a hearing before May 15, 2020, the current quarantine deadline, then you should call the judge's clerk and attempt to contact the court.  If you cannot contact the court by phone, then you should file at the very least a notice that you are not appearing at the hearing because of the executive order and you have not received notice otherwise.

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.  If they are facing a divorce, custody or parenting time legal case and they have used it in the past, I advise them to immediately stop and take some parenting classes in preparation for the litigation.

Can Corporal Punishment or Physically Disciplining a Child Cause a Change of Custody or Parenting Time?

The recent case of Brown v Brown, addressed this issue in the context of divorce and domestic violence.