A divorce can significantly impact several aspects of the lives of the couple and their family. In addition to dividing up valuable assets and determining child custody arrangements, courts will have to determine what happens to the couple’s pet. While both spouses...
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Grand Rapids Family Law And Estate Planning Blog
What if a custodial parent wants to relocate with the child?
When a parent wants to move with their child, it may cause problems between the parents. Understanding how the courts handle these cases is important. Distance is key with a proposed move Before a custodial parent decides to relocate with their child, there are...
The steps to a Michigan divorce
Any experienced divorce attorney in Michigan will attest to the proposition that no two divorces are identical. Each divorce has its own twists and turns as determined by the personalities of the spouses, their financial situation, whether they have minor children,...
What will happen to my retirement plan in a divorce?
Pensions, 401(k)s and other retirement plans are typically considered marital property in Michigan. The portion of the retirement plan earned during a couple’s marriage will get divided. This is without regard to whose salary went into the retirement account or whose...
What should be included in a prenuptial agreement?
Many Michigan couples enter into a prenuptial agreement prior to getting married to lay out the terms of their separation, if they were to get divorced in the future. Nowadays, people are getting married later in life and have fully established careers and significant...
How does adultery impact a divorce?
Infidelity is one of the hardest things for couples to overcome, particularly if they are married. In fact, many married people decide to get divorced because of adultery, or extramarital affairs. However, in most states, including Michigan, you do not have to explain...
What is equitable distribution?
Throughout your marriage, you and your spouse will likely accumulate various assets, including high value assets (e.g., your home). However, if you decide to get a divorce, the property distribution process can become complicated, particularly if you do not have a...
Will I have to pay spousal support in my divorce?
If you are planning to divorce, you may have questions about spousal support, often known as alimony. Spousal support is financial support one spouse pays to the other spouse during and/or after divorce. It is intended to help the financially disadvantaged spouse to...
Can I modify a child support order in Michigan?
When you get divorced, you always have a unique situation and final order. When you have children, there are extra considerations, like child custody and support orders. What happens if you lose your job or face a healthcare event for your child that adds extra costs...
Understanding the collaborative divorce process
If couples who decide to divorce can work together, they may benefit from a process called Collaborative Divorce. Collaborative Divorce helps them reach an agreement about important issues like property division and spousal support without going to court. Process In a...