Divorce is a stressful time, and it's only made worse if you don't prepare properly. There are several steps you should take after being served with divorce papers, both to protect yourself and make the process as smooth as...
A divorce can be a difficult situation but property can make it even more difficult. There are several ways to keep your property separate while you are going through the process of a divorce. One strategy is to identify property that was acquired...
A divorce or separation can be hard not only for you but can be especially hard on your children. It is important that during and after a divorce or separation your child feels as safe and comfortable as possible to help them emotionally transition...
When you’re going through a divorce, emotions run high. It can be easy to get distracted by the personal affronts that you feel you’ve endured from your spouse. But this is the time when you need to be savvy about being sure to take care...
If you're looking for a divorce lawyer, it's important that you do your research and choose carefully. Your lawyer will represent you during the process of dissolving your marriage, dividing your property and resolving custody matters. It is...
Are you trying to chase down your ex-spouse for child support? Or maybe you just endured the pain of a bitter divorce and are struggling to collect the monthly payment. In either case, you and your child do have rights and it's time to exercise...
Looking for a family law firm can be a stressful time in one's life. Dealing with family legal issues often means tensions and emotions are running high. It is imperative that you find a family law firm that has the most important qualities one...
Joint custody is designed to give kids the best of both worlds by making sure they have time with both parents. However, parents know that working together after a divorce can be a bit challenging. While you cannot plan for everything that lies in...
When children are involved in a divorce procedure, the issue of custody can be confusing. The first step to figuring out what the best custody arrangement is for the children is to understand what the different options are. These are the most common...
Unfortunately, divorce is just as much a reality of society as marriage is. While divorce is never easy, some divorces can be more difficult than others. Many times, it might be necessary to hire a divorce lawyer if the couple is having trouble...
While the laws may differ in fine detail in various states, there is one overriding principle that is followed in all cases. The principle that is followed is simple – do whatever is in the best interests of the child (or children). A child...
To be considered “legally separated,” a court will issue a judgment to help manage the assets and custodial rights of a couple who are still married, but living separately. When a couple separates, many issues can arise during...
If you end up only being able to see your child through supervised visitation after a divorce, this can be extremely frustrating. This typically takes place when the parent who is under the order has a history of being neglectful or abusive,...
Going through a separation and divorce is one of the most stressful things that a person can go through. Few people really understand the legalities of a legal separation, however. Because you and your former partner haven’t gone through the...
There are a lot of similarities between a legal separation and a divorce. On a practical level, there are few differences - you still have to negotiate child custody and support, as well as some other things. The differences is in the...
With a shared custody agreement, each parent has about equal custody of the child. With shared custody, both parents have legal and physical custody of the child as a single unit, where they collaborate...
Going through a child support case, whether it's from a divorce or not, can be extremely tough. It takes a lot out of both parties involved and can end up being a lengthy court case with several ups and downs. But what happens when both spouses...
When going through some issue at home with the law, your spouse and/or children, the government has the ability to step in and remove the children from home. This group is known as the Child Protection Services (of CPS) and...
So the court awarded you alimony and you think that it should be a smooth process moving forward. In comes the time when you are expecting to receive payment and you quickly learn that your ex-wife is refusing to pay...so now what? There are a...
For many people, entering into a relationship with someone who has a child from a previous relationship means that you’re forming a bond with the child as much as with the adult partner. This can be extremely tricky if the relationship...
If you share joint custody with your ex-wife, you know how maddening it can be trying to advocate for your kids’ well being with someone who just doesn’t share the same concerns. While some difficult communication can be expected, if...
In the simplest terms, a no fault divorce can be defined as wherein the spouse who is requesting the divorce does not have to prove that the other spouse did something “wrong”. Each state in the U.S. allows no fault divorces;...
Divorce can be one of the hardest things anyone has to go through in life. Adults tend to forget that it’s hard on children, too. Too often, as spouses drift apart, they become too caught up in their own feelings to notice their children...
After a custody decision is rendered in a divorce case, the non-custodial parent often has very real fears about their future with their children. If you're a divorced father, and your wife has custody of the children, you may be worried...
Divorce can be a painfully difficult experience to go through, especially if you have children. However, you should never forget that you are entitled to your parental rights. If the court has mandated a parenting time agreement between you and...
It's always best when spouses can work out the details of a divorce and child custody matters without intense intervention from lawyers and judges, but while the court values compromise, it's important for divorced parties to...
Child custody cases frequently result in one parent feeling like they got the short end of the stick. When determining custody, referees or judges take a multitude of factors into consideration, such as the past behavior of both parents,...
Years ago, many men felt that their chances of getting custody of their children after a divorce were slim to none, and for good reason. Judges overwhelmingly ruled in favor of women in child custody cases. Fortunately, this is no longer common...
Each state has different laws for couples that want to file for divorce. Fortunately in Michigan, couples can obtain a no-fault divorce, which means that neither you nor your wife needs to prove to the court that the other spouse did...
When it comes to divorce, no two cases are identical. Since each case is handled differently, and there are few different ways to arrive at the conclusion of a divorce, spouses need to decide how they want to proceed and who they...
Going through a divorce can be emotionally and mentally draining for you and your child. During this process, you want to ensure that you continue to play an active role in your child’s life. This will not only help your relationship...
While divorce is not something anyone plans for, it’s something that many people have to go through. It can be hard for a man to determine whether or not he should consider divorce, as there is no guidebook that determines when a...
It’s never easy to see your ex-wife get married, and when you have children together, the thought of paying child support and having to co-parent with a guy you don’t even know can be frightening and infuriating....
Studies have shown that positive fathers are vital to their children’s moral and social growth. It’s only natural that fathers want to fight in court to ensure they are involved in their children’s lives as much as possible. In...
When parents get a divorce, the court will assign child support as well as custodial rights, parenting time, and visitation. However, there are times when the custodial parent is not receiving child support from the non-custodial parent or they...
As a divorced father, you may feel as if the court unfairly ruled in the mother’s favor. It is only natural to want to spend more time with your children, but the court decided you had to spend more money instead. Once a divorce is...
Many couples decide to have a prenuptial agreement when they first get married. It is essentially a contract between spouses to determine how they will divide their assets if they divorce in the future. If a couple decides to get a divorce, then...
Custody decisions after a divorce may leave you feeling stripped of your right to be more than just a father - to be an involved dad. You might fear that you won’t be able to truly be there for your children when custody is divided with...
Divorced fathers, especially those who don’t have sole custody of their children, often have a hard time knowing how to handle birthday and holiday celebrations after their divorce. The feel like they have every right to be a part of the...
Divorce takes a toll on the couple, their children, and extended family members, such as grandparents. When a divorce occurs and custody is determined by a court, it can have implications for grandparents. Nearly 40 years ago, most...
Divorce is always difficult, but when children are involved, it adds another layer of delicateness to the situation. Judges are forced to determine parenting time for one or both parties and are charged with the duty of doing what is best...
When facing a divorce, especially when it’s sudden and unexpected, or children are involved, emotions can get overwhelming. It’s easy for things to get heated, which makes the process infinitely more difficult. In order for both parties...
Sometimes judges in Michigan are forced to issue sole custody to one parent. This can happen as a result of a parent who is deemed unfit to adequately care for his or her son or daughter. When this occurs, the custodial parent is...
Divorce is typically an emotionally draining experience for one or both parties. The loss of a relationship can be a tremendous strain for those involved. Fortunately, working closely with an attorney who has extensive...
There are many factors that can make divorce a long and complicated process. While people who are going through a divorce often expect the hassle of divvying up possessions and the possibility of a contentious custody battle, they often...
Dealing with a custody battle can be one of the most emotional and life changing events a person will ever have to experience. The goal of the court system in any child custody case is to establish a custodial environment that protects the...
Divorce is an extremely difficult and emotional experience for everyone involved. The added complication of going through a divorce with a spouse that lives in another state only makes it harder to manage.
Since each state has separate laws...
While you don’t necessarily need a lawyer in order to get a divorce, attempting to do it on your own can be a regrettable decision. Divorces can be complex and, in most situations, a family law attorney can help you protect your...
While divorce is something that no one really plans for, it’s a reality for many Americans. If you’re contemplating divorce, or you’re in the beginning stages, it’s helpful to know about the terms and conditions that could...
Divorce ranks as one of the most stressful experiences that many people deal with at some point in their life. Understanding how your divorce can affect your family and finances can help reduce the emotional burden. One of the biggest concerns...
For many people, divorce is one of the most trying and stressful experiences in life, and when there are children involved, it can be even more difficult. For parents, the struggle to come to an agreement on child support payments can be the...
The average divorce is complex and heartbreaking, and for an active member of the military it can be even more difficult. While dealing with a divorce while serving in the military presents a specific set of challenges, the most...
It shouldn't take too long for you to find a qualified attorney to assist with your divorce. It’s always important to attempt to manage your stress in the process of selecting a legal consultant. Hopefully, these suggestions can assist you...
Who usually gets custody?
Michigan law assumes that an ideal outcome of a divorce or separation results in the children involved maintaining a strong relationship with both parents. Although, in Michigan courts, there are twelve factors...
Coming to terms with an impending divorce is not easy. It raises a lot of questions, such as “Where do I go from here?,” and “What is at stake other than my marriage?” The divorce process inevitably takes a huge emotional...
When you’re facing a potential divorce and emotions are running high, it’s not uncommon for your decision-making skills to suffer. The stress and urgency of the situation can cloud rational thinking and lead to mistakes that can affect...
We always later regret making important decisions when we were under an emotional cloud. This happens often in the divorce context. According to financial advisors, you should follow certain principles in order to prevent your decisions from...
The saying goes something like this: "The only way out is through." Truer words were never spoken when it comes to a Michigan divorce. It can feel as though it will never end, but rest assured, there is an end. Enduring the ups and...
The saying goes something like this: "The only way out is through." Truer words were never spoken when it comes to a Michigan divorce. It can feel as though it will never end, but rest assured, there is an end. Enduring the ups and...
Virtually everyone in Michigan has heard the declaration that the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. Even so, when it comes to property division, many couples fail to consider the tax implications. It may be beneficial to both...
The marriages and divorces of Hollywood couples can sometimes be difficult to keep up with for the public. It is not unusual to see celebrity couples filing for divorce after only being married for a short time. For that reason alone, it may...
It can be a challenge to get past all of the negative feelings that often surface between Michigan couples when a marriage ends. When children are involved, this can make the divorce process even more difficult for them. Children need to...
One of the toughest parts of the divorce procedure is that it reminds one of lost dreams and hurtful disappointments. Instead of allowing forgetfulness, the divorce process tends to re-open thoughts of past mistakes and failed opportunities....
Making the decision to end a marriage is never easy, and once it is made, many people in Michigan become understandably anxious to get it over. However, sometimes other considerations need to come before the announcement and filing of a divorce....
When a marriage ends, everyone has to make adjustments. One household becomes two separate households where the children will spend time. For many Michigan parents, one of the hardest of those adjustments is sharing physical custody of the ...
Ask just about any couple in Michigan to pinpoint how the two of them knew that they were in love with each other, and it may be a struggle to answer. A couple going through a divorce may have the same difficulty identifying how they fell out...
The University of Michigan is the latest to release a study attempting to discover what is causing some older couples to end their marriages. What they found indicates that deteriorating health is a factor in divorce for couples with at least...
Nearly 50 percent of all marriages in the country end in divorce. Still, its frequency does not keep it from being one of the most devastating experiences a couple can go through. Many Michigan couples tend to focus on what went wrong with the...
When a Michigan couple decides its marriage is no longer working, it is often done without consulting the children. This is typically the right decision when preparing for divorce proceedings. However, that does not mean that the children will ...
When friends and family hear that a Michigan couple is ending their marriage, they tend to offer well-meaning -- though often unsolicited -- advice. Nevertheless, every situation is unique, and what worked for one person may not work for ...
Nearly every aspect of children's lives changes when their parents decide to go their separate ways and end their marriage. It can be a challenge for Michigan parents to help their children through the divorce process. Perhaps pointing out the...
Most Michigan readers understand that a divorce often takes an emotional toll on the parties. However, divorce can also take a physical toll as well. It can be exhausting to deal with all of the issues, a soon-to-be ex-spouse and making sure...
At the behest of the U.S. Attorney's Office located in Grand Rapids, the U.S. Office of the Inspector General (OIG) unsealed a decades old indictment relating to a Michigan man. The father of four reportedly owes close to $560,000 in back...
Taking care of the children is one of the most important issues Michigan parents deal with when their marriage ends. As the divorce proceeds, parents will make decisions regarding custody, child support and how the parties will pay for higher...
Most Michigan couples acquire debts during the course of their marriage. If the couple later divorces, that marital debt needs to be dealt with just as any other issue such as property division and custody. Ordinarily, each party agrees to assume...
Many Michigan couples are left wondering what to do next once they decide to end their marriage. At the same time the parties are grieving for the loss of their relationship, they have to focus on getting through the divorce proceedings. Some...
Experiencing divorce is, for most, an emotional roller coaster. It takes a lot of effort to fairly separate one household into to two and still be able to provide for family needs. One of the biggest areas of contention for a divorcing couple...
Many people going through a divorce are distraught and often make decisions or take actions that are clouded by their unpredictable emotions. Persons in Michigan who are in a divorce should try and maintain control over their emotions when...
All child custody situations are fraught with emotion. Children must deal with spending time with their parents separately, and their relationship with both parents will likely change. There may sometimes be situations when the custodial...
Calling it quits after multiple years of marriage can naturally be a difficult move. However, it may be necessary if the couple has differences they simply cannot reconcile. In such a divorce situation in Michigan, essential areas such as how to...
It's believed that the months of January and February are the most active times for divorce filings each year. Since a considerable number of Michigan spouses who are considering a divorce do not want to proceed during the holidays, many wait...
For couples trying to make an unhappy or loveless marriage work, the decision to get a divorce can be tough. When children are involved, many parents avoid splitting up to protect their kids. However, remaining in a marriage that is miserable...
Conflict is part and parcel of many Michigan divorces. The parties are typically trying to divide their marital property, and both individuals are naturally looking to protect their own interests. Fighting over the martial home, bank accounts or...
The Jewish community views divorce very differently than the rest of society. Because of this, child custody rulings are not always as clear cut within the community either. Michigan couples who are Jewish may find that mediation can make the...
There are many fathers who would argue that they lose much more in a divorce than just their spouse. Many fathers argue that, almost by default, they automatically lose legal custody of their children, while their ex-wife seemingly is granted that...
2014 is finally here. That means a huge surge in the number of divorce papers is about to occur in Michigan and around the country. Whether couples have waited to file until after the holidays in order to maintain a false sense of happiness, or...
There are likely many Michigan couples who are dreading the holidays with their in-laws or even with their own parents and spouses. As many experts predict, the holidays bring about a huge surge in divorce papers being filed. The issue that most...
There are countless issues that married couples face. From paying bills to deciding whether to have children to figuring out if buying that new car is really necessary right now, marriage is not always romance, candlelight and flowers. Sadly,...
It is becoming increasingly more common for Michigan couples to seek out a family law office to draw up a prenuptial agreement before they get married. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is calling this generation of couples the prenup...
Getting through even the most amicable of divorces can be a challenge during the holiday season. There are countless reasons that Michigan parents may struggle with a visitation arrangement, especially when facing the pressures of splitting...
There are countless opinions about what couples should discuss before getting married. There are also countless opinions about how and why a marriage can break down, and what can lead to a divorce. Michigan couples may be interested to know...
The holiday season is upon us, and many Michigan couples are pulling out decorations, making their gift lists and planning to spend time with both sides of the family. For some fortunate couples, dividing their time is not difficult or a point of...
Michigan parents who are going through a divorce process likely know that the situation can have an adverse effect on their children. Even though parents may try to ease the transition of divorce on their children, they may not be sure the best...
Child custody disputes can and do occur when both parents have their own interests at heart. The goal of the courts is to ensure that children have strong and healthy relationships with both parents, regardless of the parents' relationship...
Child custody disputes can and do occur during divorce, but they can also occur if a state agency is concerned about the welfare of children. In those types of disputes, parents are sometimes clearly in the wrong. In other cases, though, ...
Not every divorce divides families along lines of battle. There are many instances in which a Michigan couple decides to end their marriage with a minimum of stress and turmoil. For these couples, collaboration offers an alternative path to...
Getting through a difficult divorce can be a challenge. Michigan parents who are struggling over a child custody arrangement are often highly emotional and easily provoked to anger. This can make the divorce and custody process even more...
When a Michigan couple begins a custody fight, things can quickly move from civility to all-out warfare. The love of a child is a powerful thing, and struggles over child custody can lead some parents to make choices that they might otherwise...
Divorce financial planners suggest that the divorce rate may increase after the integration of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) into the public routine. They write that a significant number of couples have remained together but essentially...
For those in Michigan who are considering filing for divorce, the manner in which that process is approached can have a great deal of impact on the final outcome. While many divorce cases from decades past were handled in front of a court, there...
Could you handle raising and supporting 27 of your own biological children? A man from a neighboring state thinks that he's handling it, although there's a recent report indicating his arrest for child support related charges. In Michigan and...
Did you ever notice that enormous success is sometimes followed or accompanied by enormous heartache? That must be the case for the enormously successful CEO of retail giant Best Buy. It's not a Michigan case but the principles are the same....
Although this blog is not interested in being a commercial plug for lawyers, every so often it helps to keep the role and value of the legal professional in its proper context. And, it's valid to ask whether it's necessary to have legal ...
Generally, a spouse with higher income and greater earning capacity may be ordered to pay alimony to the ex-spouse who makes significantly less. In Michigan and other states, there are numerous factors weighed by the court prior to entering an...
Where parents are unable to settle their custody and support issues amicably, these problems can be litigated off and on for years after the divorce is final. One example is from a case in a state other than Michigan but the applicable legal...
It appears that one child support enforcement agency in a neighboring state is taking a softer, kinder view toward the child support system and how to get parents to pay their obligations. It's called a Child Support Solutions event and it...
When a billionaire reportedly pays the largest divorce settlement in history in the dissolution of his second marriage, his third marriage will include a prenuptial agreement signed by the new spouse. Rupert Murdoch made sure that Wendi Deng ...
We discussed in the last blog how you may expect to suffer certain normal tribulations that tend to haunt people going through a divorce. This blog is based on a report by a prominent psychologist and life coach who takes the analysis a step or...
For those considering a divorce, you can be assured that you'll face certain obstacles and suffer through many unwanted experiences. It's in the nature of the beast, and you'll get used to taking the bad with the good. But always keep in mind...
Some things should be taken care of prior to completion of the divorce or they may come back to haunt one of the parties for years to come. When people get divorced in Michigan or anywhere else in the country, one of the divorcing parties will...
Generally, when a child goes to another state to visit the noncustodial parent for a scheduled visitation the child must return to the home state when the visitation ends. The same rule applies internationally: if the child travels from one...
The question is whether anger is better to hold onto during and after divorce or whether it's ultimately self-destructive. Whether you're getting a divorce in Michigan or elsewhere, you're going to experience some predictable psychological and...
A media mogul worth many billions of dollars can't generally be pinned down as a predictable kind of person. That's probably true of Rupert Murdoch, the head of the multi-billion dollar media conglomerate known as the News Corporation. He surprised...
Social networking has been touted as necessary to a myriad of activities in modern life, including to achieve business success, to remain 'in the loop' among the in crowd and to find a job, along with engaging optimally in dozens of other work ...
How does a person succeed in getting an amicable divorce instead of being drug through the hot fires of a contested War of the Roses? One family law professional proposes a few guidelines to keep a divorce in Michigan and other states on the...
Some people want to have their cake and eat it too. That might be a pretty good depiction of Brooke Mueller, Charlie Sheen's ex-wife and mother of his two 4-year-old twin boys. The case is not from Michigan but is instructive with respect to...
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There's an excess of remedies that courts use to enforce support orders against tardy parents, mostly dads. Conversely, enforcement remedies for fathers who are being wrongly denied access to their children is woefully inadequate. The...
There's a product for everything and everyone these days, and if there isn't, it's probably on the way. Now even the stress and emotional frustration that many experience while going through a divorce is subject to a feel-good remedy. If...
Custody of the children is hopefully going to be worked out by the parents in a mutually agreed arrangement that's in the best interests of the children. However, it doesn't always go that way. In Michigan, where the parents don't agree on...
It may be surprising to some that parental child support obligations can depend on the definition of the term 'custodial parent.' In an appellate case from another state, a panel of judges ruled four-to-one that a father who was the...
If a contestant in a divorce case aggressively requests an annulment instead of a divorce, then the court will have to accommodate the request by holding hearings and taking legal argument on the issues. This is one big reason why the divorce...
Many people in the process of a negotiated or contested divorce would like to begin at least a semblance of a new social life, and to date and enjoy the companionship of other persons. But what effects can this activity have on the divorce...
It's a common trait of human nature that some people find it difficult to give up a good thing. Whether in Michigan or another state, that trait may be even truer when the benefit given up is $180,000 per month in spousal support payments. The...
One of the world's richest and most influential men is getting divorced. In the process, he may make history by possibly paying the highest property distribution in a divorce in history. Harold Hamm is an oil baron who has a net worth of about...
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that over two million marriages take place each year nationwide. In Michigan and other states, an average of roughly half of those couples will later face a divorce. Although a difficult emotional experience for...
It's frustrating to see the administrative process work an injustice that could have been prevented by the exercise of a little bit of foresight and a degree of compassion. Child custody matters in Michigan and nationwide can encounter...
A divorce always represents a tough transitional life-change for a couple. But when they are over 50, the dynamics of finding a suitable property division agreement are all the more difficult. In Michigan and nationwide, the incidence of...
Disputes in divorce cases can tend to go over and beyond the norm of human conflict. In Michigan and throughout the country, a bitterly fought divorce can lead to an escalation of hostility that creates disputes not often seen in normal human...
For many, there's nothing more complicated in a divorce proceeding than finding a mutually acceptable division of the couple's investment assets. This will be a major task in a Michigan divorce where there are substantial assets subject to...
An international custody dispute is usually filled with uncertainties. One reason: the laws and cultures of different countries may differ on what is a just resolution. It's even more problematic when there are accusations of child abduction...
One of the ironies of our legal system is that it sometimes turns its back on those who need help the most. This also extends to occasionally turning a surprisingly cold shoulder toward members of the armed services who are deployed overseas. Men...
The name Buzz Aldrin is likely very familiar to Michigan readers. Having the claim of being the second man to step on the moon is quite an accomplishment. Unfortunately, for Aldrin, his 23-year marriage to Lois Driggs Cannon has ended in...
When a Michigan couple decides to divorce, several factors are taken into consideration, particularly if children are involved. The courts can order one spouse to pay child support. However, sometimes a spouse may feel that the court's order,...
Usually when Michigan couples file for divorce, the news doesn't make the headlines as is often the case with celebrity divorces. Nonetheless, going through a divorce is an emotional time for anyone, regardless of status. Spousal support is...
When couples marry, they are usually not thinking about the financial implications of a divorce. There are a variety of tax advantages to marriage which many couples have used to their advantage. However, when a couple in Michigan decides to get a...
The recent economic downturn and higher unemployment rates may be of great concern to noncustodial parents who pay court-ordered child support. However, there are signs that things are beginning to turn around as the economy recovers. Child...
According to a new study from the University of Michigan, sons-in-law play an important role in making a marriage successful. The study, which was conducted over a 26-year period, found that divorce is 20 percent less likely to occur when the...
Michigan readers likely know that when celebrities divorce, there is often a great deal of controversy surrounding them in the media. Reasons for the divorce, who will get what property and who will have custody are among the most commonly...
Child custody battles often take place within the context of divorce proceedings, but custody battles come up in other situations as well. Another common context for these legal disputes is when parents have their children removed by state...
The concept of communicating with an ex-spouse via only electronic communication may be appealing to many Michigan divorcees. For divorced parents, the use of such tools may provide a way for open communication, without the awkwardness and...
Having divorced in 2006, the ex-husband of an author who hails from outside Michigan has appealed and seeks additional money. The Supreme Court in the state in which the divorce took place has denied the appeal. According to reports, the...
When Michigan parents choose to divorce child support and custody arrangements concerning minor children tend to become paramount. These deliberations can be challenging, as parents determine how they will deal with decision making regarding...
In today's economy, Michigan parents from all walks of life, careers and levels of education have been affected by decreasing finances. One recent news report suggests that perhaps even famous NFL stars have fallen victim to the challenges of...
Married for more than 30 years, celebrity parents Joe and Tina Simpson are getting a divorce. Michigan readers may be less familiar with this couple than with their two celebrity daughters, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson. But it is due in part to the...
When parents separate, issues of child custody and visitation must be addressed. In circumstances where parents are not able to come to an agreement between themselves, in Michigan or elsewhere, a judge usually steps in the make the decisions for...
The proper place and role of Shariah law (the moral code and religious law of the Muslim faith) in the American legal system has become a source of debate and contention throughout the country. There are many legal questions that arise when ...
When a couple decides to divorce, they file the paperwork and may hope that their relationship's demise is never again the center of attention. Unfortunately for people in positions of authority, their divorce cases may become open to the...
There is no wizardry involved in divorce. But when Eaton Rapids couples separate or divorce, it can be complicated. Among all the facets involved with divorce, individuals may forget that there are tax implications that can prevent them moving...
Lansing parents may know that actress Kelly Rutherford has spoken out regarding the unusual and complicated situation that she now finds herself in with ex-husband Daniel Giersch. According to reports, Giersch, who lives abroad, has had his...
Many individuals do not consider the long-term financial outlook after divorce. On April 25, in a post titled, "Lansing couples should learn finances during divorce," we told our readers about the importance of understanding their...
Newly married Lansing couples may not want to consider the possibility of divorcing in the future, but some suggest that such a consideration may be a positive option. The reason is that, during divorce, property division can be an emotional,...
When a couple makes the decision to divorce, if they have children, their first priority may be determining child support and custody arrangements. No matter what the agreement between the parents is, children have needs that must be ...
Lansing parents who are working through the divorce process likely know that their uneasy circumstances affect their children. Even though parents may try to ease the discomfort of a changing family dynamic, they may be unsure of the best way...
With so many people in the United States professing to believe in God, Michigan residents may consider it odd that religion is often excluded from divorce discussions. But religion can have both positive and negative effects on divorcing...
Divorce is full of decisions that must be discussed and agreed upon by both spouses. Sometimes one spouse may have a request that is unusual or surprising to the other spouse. This is exactly what happened to one man recently, who asked for ...
A divorce can be stressful enough when a party's financial livelihood is not at stake. However, for small business owners in Michigan who are going through a divorce, the financial ramifications of the divorce can be disastrous if the proper...
Summertime can be full of excitement for a parent and their children. However, it can also cause disputes over child custody issues. These disagreements are especially likely if there is an argument over what visitation schedule each parent is...
Military deployments have been a common thing since even before 9/11 and the wars that followed. With those deployments, the issue of child custody involving military parents has increased as a topic of discussion. Michigan parents serving in the...
Few newly engaged couples envision that their marriage could end in divorce. Statistics indicate otherwise, however. Today, approximately half of all marriages end in divorce. For that reason it may make sense for Michigan couples to consider...
Our Lansing readers and the rest of Michigan may recall a post from late last year titled, "Couple ordered to swap social media account passwords." In it we shared the story of a divorcing couple fighting over child custody. Each party...
Most divorce stories, especially those which involve a partner in a marriage seeking spousal support, tend to relate the story of the wife who has been left destitute after her high-earning spouse filed for divorce. The tables are turning...
While being amicable as you wade through the divorce process can make the overall process easier, some suggest that Michigan couples should find a solid balance between their level of friendliness and their rights. A fair divorce that ...
In a prior article, the plight of a Michigan father was addressed regarding the biological daughter he had with a woman who went on to later reconcile with her estranged husband. The man fell under the umbrella of an outdated Michigan law which...
Like most states, Michigan recognizes two primary types of divorce; at-fault and no-fault. The individual circumstances of the couple divorcing, determine which type of divorce is being sought and how the process is handled. Many couples are...
Assets and physical property may be somewhat of an issue to divide, even when married couples have reached a mutual decision to divorce and remain on friendly terms. Deciding on exact child custody arrangements that are fair to everyone...
Michigan residents have no doubt heard the voice of popular singer Usher Raymond, but many may be surprised to hear of his tearful day in child custody court recently.
Usher, as he is simply known, has been involved in a dramatic child...
Michigan residents may agree that the days of men being the sole breadwinners of the family and women being the sole caretakers of the home are gone. This cultural change may be finally working its way into divorce proceedings, as more women are...
Michigan residents likely appreciate that publicized divorces can add stress and strain to an already uncomfortable situation. This fact appears to apply tenfold to WWE stars such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and now John Cena.
Cena and his wife Liz...
For years Lansing residents have heard that the national divorce rate is on the rise. It was considered common knowledge that nearly 50 percent of all couples end up dissolving their marriages. In fact, the rate of divorce in our country ...
When going through a divorce, many people are thinking of all the possible assets they own. Most people immediately think of the house, cars, retirement accounts and bank accounts. They often forget about one financial tool that could be very...
The financial meltdown that the many people have been recovering from over the past few years has opened the eyes of many Americans regarding their own personal financial situation. It is now harder to get a loan, and many people have lost ...
Imagine living with your wife and two kids, when a woman claims that you owe child support for her baby, and you end up in jail for refusing to pay. It happened to a man in another state and could probably happen in a child support case in...
Many people are choosing to live with their partners and not get married before having children. This number is increasing according to new numbers released this week by the federal government. This increase could raise more questions about child...
Child custody is one of the most difficult issues when going through a divorce. Sometimes both Michigan parents want full custody of their children or are unable to come to a compromise on a child custody agreement. This often leads to a judge...
Organization is key. That phrase can help guide a person when filing for divorce. While it is just one way to help ensure a better outcome after filing for divorce, organization can help reduce stress and allows a person to understand their...
Many people have property that they never would want to lose. During divorce in Michigan, many people hope to keep some property that they have accumulated during the marriage during the property division. Some people want the same things that...
Divorce can sometimes lead to child custody issues. When two parents can't agree on a child custody arrangement, the decision might be left up to a Michigan judge. This judge will take many things into consideration and might award custody base...
As the federal tax filing deadline nears, many people who got divorced last year, or those who are going through a divorce might be thinking about how a divorce affects their tax filing. People in Michigan who have an agreement on alimony will...
Many couples with marital problems end up opting for divorce. In many cases, that is the right decision. But some couples may in fact fare better with a legal separation rather than divorce. A legal separation recognizes that partners are...
Many couples with marital problems end up opting for divorce. In many cases, that is the right decision. But some couples may in fact fare better with a legal separation rather than divorce. A legal separation recognizes that partners are...
Child custody is a complicated issue. Add an international component to child custody cases and the complexity increases for Michigan parents. Some parents today live very global lifestyles, and may have a relationship with a person in another...
As Michigan home values have plummeted in the past few years, many homeowners have found themselves unable to sell their homes. With an eye toward making lemonade out of a lemon real estate market, or maybe because the demands of the family ...
Sometimes legislation is made to protect vulnerable people, such as children. These laws are often written with the best of intent, but as societal interactions and science develop, laws can become quickly outdated and have an adverse effect...
Demi Moore's recent hospitalization is just the latest example of how emotional strain following a marital split can culminate in health problems. But, divorce does not have to be such a high-level stressor: among other things, getting...
Getting a divorce can be a stressful situation. There are ways to help prepare for divorce negotiations that will hopefully mitigate overwhelming feelings once you and your partner have decided to split. Sometimes, what one person perceives to be...
As the baby boomer generation ages and starts to retire, many in this group will be looking to supplement their retirement with income from Social Security. Sometimes people in Michigan didn't work as much as their former spouse, because they...
For many couples contemplating a divorce, there may be an alternative, depending on your unique situation. For those who still love their partner but just can't live with them anymore or those who have religious beliefs that discourage...
Michigan couples who are close to retirement age and thinking about dissolving their marriage may be wondering how that decision could affect collecting Social Security benefits. An individual may or may not be entitled to collect an...
Michigan fathers may see their parenting and visitation rights change thanks to potential changes in Michigan's state laws.
A new series of bills recently introduced in the state senate could change a law that has been on the...
Being a parent isn't easy. It often takes a great deal of work, and officials in one state believe a mother of a four-year-old boy isn't doing the necessary work to be a good parent. They believe the mother should not be granted child...
Child custody cases can be emotional and, in some cases, difficult to sort out. They can even be difficult to sort out for celebrities.
Recently, country singer Mindy McCready found herself in trouble with the law after taking her son...
Social media has changed the way people work and live in Michigan and beyond, but for one couple it has even changed their divorce proceedings.
A Connecticut couple is fighting over child custody. The husband told the court...