Category: Finances
-
What Happens If a Spouse Dies Before the Divorce Is Final in Michigan?
When navigating a divorce in Mid-Michigan, including areas like Lansing, East Lansing, Mason, St. Johns, or Charlotte, it’s important to understand what changes can alter your case or, in the case of death, terminate it. Death Terminates Divorce Proceedings Under Michigan law, if a spouse dies before a Judgment of Divorce is entered, the marriage…
-
Should Incorrect or Fraudulent Income Tax Returns Always Be Amended During a Michigan Divorce?
When a Michigan divorce attorney uncovers incorrect—or even fraudulent— past income tax returns, the question clients ask most often is deceptively simple: “Do I have to amend the return?” But the answer is far more nuanced than most people expect. For more than 30 years, The Kronzek Firm has represented clients in complex and high‑asset…
-
Understanding Discovery in Michigan Family Law Cases: A Guide for Mid-Michigan Families
To reach a fair outcome in any family law case, relevant information is key. The way that each party gains access to that information is through a process called discovery. In Mid-Michigan, including areas like Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, Charlotte, and Mason, you should work with your attorney during the discovery process to ensure they…
-
Does Fault Matter in Michigan Divorces? The Impact of Adultery, Abuse, and Waste on Property Division and Spousal Support in Mid-Michigan
Michigan is a “no-fault divorce” state, which means a spouse does not have to prove wrongdoing (such as adultery or abuse) to obtain a divorce. Michigan law only requires that the marriage has broken down and the parties are not likely to reconcile. The issue of “fault” comes into play during property division and spousal…
-
Can I Still Get Divorced in Michigan if My Spouse Refuses to Sign the Papers?
By Brandy J Thompson Divorce can be overwhelming, especially when one spouse wants out and the other tries to resist. In Michigan communities like Lansing, East Lansing, Mason, Charlotte, St. Johns, Ionia and throughout Ingham, Eaton, Ionia, Jackson and Clinton Counties, family law attorneys often meet clients worried that their spouse can “block” the divorce…
-
How Michigan Courts Divide Child Support Among Multiple Families
Parents around Michigan counties like Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, and surrounding areas could find themselves in a situation where they have child support orders in different counties for children from different relationships. Our family law attorneys are asked how Michigan courts divide and allocate child support in these types of situations? Michigan law does not treat…
-
Does It Matter If I Am the First One to File for Divorce in Michigan? A Question of Strategy
One of the most common questions we divorce attorneys hear is: Does it matter who files for divorce first? Many people think filing first gives them an advantage over their ex-spouse during disputes over custody and property division. In truth, it often doesn’t matter in terms of guaranteeing a certain outcome. However, in some situations,…
-
How Will Relocating Affect My Custody and Parenting Time Agreement in Michigan?
When one parent wants to move a significant distance away from the children, whether it’s across Michigan or to another state, it can raise serious legal issues under Michigan’s Child Custody Act (MCL 722.31) and our Parenting Time statute. Michigan law limits how far a parent who has an existing custody order can move with…
-
My Marriage Is Over — What Do I Do Next?
Coming to terms with the end of your marriage is one of life’s most difficult realizations. In terms of stress, scientifically, divorce ranks second, right below the death of a spouse, as extremely stressful. ( Holmes, T.H., & Rahe, R.H., 1967). “The Social Readjustment Rating Scale.” Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11(2), 213–218). In Mid-Michigan communities…
-
How Are Medical, Dental, and Extracurricular Expenses Divided in Mid-Michigan Child Support Cases?
Understanding How Michigan Divides Medical, Dental, and Extracurricular Costs When parents in Mid-Michigan—including Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Livingston, and Jackson counties—share custody and parenting time, they often ask our top-rated family law attorneys how to divide their children’s uninsured medical, dental, and optical expenses. “Support” includes not only basic child support payments but also medical, dental,…