Serving Families At All Stages Of Life
What does it take to recover from a divorce? From an emotional perspective, it may take years. The same can be true for the financial impact of a divorce. But, what if you are already approaching your senior years? What might the impact of a so-called gray divorce be...
Property division is a major aspect of divorce and it can involve lengthy information gathering to identify and value marital assets and debts. Fortunately, Michigan law now requires both spouses to complete and exchange a financial information form. This form must be...
When parents of minor children divorce, child support isn't an option. Both parents have a legal responsibility to provide for their child's needs. To that end, Michigan courts use a formula to calculate the amount parents must pay in child support based upon the...
Divorce can be a stressful process, and a messy one, too. This is why preserving privacy is a major concern for many couples. Generally, the best way to keep divorce matters private is through reaching an out-of-court settlement, rather than going to trial. There are...
It is common for one spouse to earn more money than the other during the marriage. If the marriage ends, it can be difficult for the spouse who earned less money to support themselves now that their spouse’s income is no longer available to them. Spousal support, or...
Entering a stepparent role can be both rewarding and challenging. It is challenging because you need to balance the needs of your stepchildren, the ex-spouse (and current co-parent) and your new partner. Building a relationship with stepchildren Creating a strong bond...
Much like the paths that led a couple to marriage, the paths that led them to divorce are unique to the couple. Divorce can happen for many reasons, but when a spouse files for divorce, there are only a few options when it comes to handling the process. Because...
Navigating the division of assets during a divorce can be complex, especially when it comes to investments. In Michigan, specific laws determine how these assets are divided between spouses. Marital versus separate assets Michigan law differentiates between marital...
Although divorce is often characterized as being a long, expensive, emotional and taxing process, this is not always the reality. While some divorcing spouses might require litigation to work through complex divorce or family law matters, many more can reach a final...
Like other states, Michigan courts decide custody cases based on what the judge believes is in the best interests of the child. To put it another way, if anyone is supposed to be a "winner" in a child custody case, it should be the couple’s minor children. The reason...