When parents in Michigan go through a divorce, they may have many concerns, but one of the most important to them is what will happen with their children. Parents are often concerned with which parent will receive custody of the children. Custody is a term that many...
Grand Rapids Family Law And Estate Planning Blog
Joint custody requires the parents to cooperate
During a Michigan divorce, disputes over children are common. Since the breakup of a marriage can be difficult for kids, it is important that the parents do whatever they can to make the process as seamless as possible. For many, joint custody is the most viable...
Taking care of your mental health during a divorce
Divorce can be one of the most mentally and emotionally stressful experiences you will ever go through. You might know that your marriage is over, and that divorce is the right choice, but you may still experience feelings of sadness, bitterness and regret. Taking...
Same sex custody case before Michigan Supreme Court
For eight years, LGBTQ couples had the recognized right to marry in this country. But the delay until this right became a reality poses unique legal problems for same-sex couples who divorce or separate. Court hears impactful case The state Supreme Court heard...
Legal separation in Michigan
When confronting the breakdown of their marriage, some couples don’t want to rush headlong into divorce. They choose instead to separate and there are variations on this theme. Some states have types of separation — trial separation, permanent separation and legal...
Annulment in Michigan
Annulment is a path to marital dissolution, but it’s a very different animal than that of divorce. Where divorce ends a marriage that was entered into lawfully but no longer works, annulment rescinds the marriage because it asserts the marriage never existed. The...
Mediation: A viable path to settlement
For some divorce cases where the parties are not diametrically opposed and the level of acrimony is manageable, mediation can be a means to an end that is faster, cheaper, more confidential, and finally more productive. It’s a reliable form of dispute resolution. For...
The 10-year divorce rule in Michigan
In Michigan, an equitable distribution state, the divorce laws apply to all cases, whether you’re dealing with a short- or long-term marriage. That is, property is divided equitably. Child custody arrangements are guided by the best interests of the child. Spousal...
Is a Collaborative Divorce right for me?
Divorce is emotionally difficult and technically demanding by its nature. Our adversarial justice system can make it harder because it pits one side against the other, with each party trying to get the best deal. Even in a relatively amicable divorce, both spouses may...
Preparing for your divorce
Divorce is something you may have been thinking about for a long time. Once you have decided that divorce is something you are going to do, there are many things you should do to prepare. Do not just rush out and file. Divorce is a major life event, both financially...