If you are thinking of filing for divorce it is important that you understand your rights prior to filing for a divorce. On short term marriages the court will usually award each party the property that they owned prior to the divorce and will split what was accumulated during the marriage. An increase in some pre-marital [...]
Over the years I have had received calls from people upset because their fiancee wanted them to sign a prenuptial agreement. I have also received calls from people who were worried about protecting their assets in case their marriage ended in divorce. Prenuptial ageements are valid and binding in Michigan. People who are getting married [...]
Over the years I have spoke with many people who are thinking of getting divorced and are unable to document what has happened in the past year. Quite often they have a general idea but they cannot be specific. I have found that it is best to get make a calendar with enough notes to [...]
Over the years I have seen people hurt their ability to obtain custody or be awarded substantial parenting time by moving out of the home where the children live without a court ordered agreement regarding custody and parenting time. Quite frequently they fall into the trap by way of their spouse or significant other requesting that they [...]
The property division in a divorce in Michigan is based on many factors. Usually when I interview a client I ask my prospective client what he or she owned on the date of the marriage and what they own today. A major factor in the split involves the length of the marriage for reason that [...]
One of the most unpleasant area in a divorce is how to handle a split of an inheritance received by someone in a divorce for reason that the law in this area is not always fair. Usually if a spouse receives an inheritance and is smart enough to keep it in his or her name than that [...]
Child custody is an issue in any divorce that has minor children involved. The laws regarding child custody are controlled by the state so it does not matter whether you live in Plymouth, Howell, Novi, or any location in any county in Michigan as the rules regarding custody and parenting time are statewide and not by [...]
Alimony has been replaced by the phrase spousal support. There are certain factors that need to be examined in determining if a case is of such a nature that spousal support should be awarded. The factors are as follows: 1) Past relations and conduct of the parties 2) Length of the marriage 3) Parties ability [...]
When I interview a client with minor children the most important factor in determining the possibility of settlement is the status of custody and parenting time issues. The further the parties are apart on parenting time and custody the more expensive the cost of the divorce. The best scenario is when both parties agree on [...]
I have 27 years of experience in the area of Family Law, and at this stage of my career have handled hundreds of divorces. Usually a divorce is emotionally draining and difficult for all involved but in many cases the parties realize that they want a divorce and to settle as easily as possible with [...]
