Category: Finances
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Child Support Modifications in Mid-Michigan: How to Adjust Your Support Order When Life Changes
Child support plays a vital role in maintaining a child’s care after a divorce or separation. But when jobs change, children grow, and financial circumstances shift, your child support order may no longer fit your situation. Michigan law provides a process for modifying it to fit a family’s evolving needs. If you live in Mid-Michigan—whether…
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Selling the Marital Home During Divorce in Michigan: What You Need to Know
If you are going through a divorce in Michigan, understanding how the sale of real estate is handled during the divorce can help you avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary conflict. Below are some frequently asked questions about navigating the home sale process during a Michigan divorce. Can the Marital Home Be Sold Before the Divorce…
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Asking the Court to Make Spouse Pay Attorney Fees in My Divorce Case in Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, Jackson, Ionia, or Shiawassee County?
In our more than 30 years of business practicing family law in Lansing and throughout Mid-Michigan, we are often asked if a spouse can be ordered to pay the other’s attorney fees in a divorce case. Usually, Michigan uses the “American Rule” where each party pays for their own lawyer. However, Michigan family law has…
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If I Earn More Than My Spouse, Do We Still Split Everything Equally in a Michigan Divorce?
The Importance of Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements in Michigan Divorce Cases It is a common misunderstanding that if one spouse earns more, they should receive a larger share of the marital assets. This belief was more common in past decades, especially when men were predominantly the breadwinners of the household. However, as times have changed,…
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Hidden Assets in Divorce Pt 2: How Do I Discover Hidden Assets In A Divorce? And Then What?
Your soon-to-be ex-spouse (STBX) may think they are being sneaky about hiding their assets from you, but there are many ways to find out about these hidden assets. If your spouse obtained any assets while you were together, it is your right to have them considered in your divorce, unless of course there was a…
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Does my Spouse Get to Keep Part of my Inheritance if We Get Divorced in Michigan?
For a married person that loves their spouse, sharing the windfall of an inheritance seems like a really good idea. After all, if you’re in this together for the long haul, it only makes sense to share the wealth. But for a divorcing couple, nothing could be more frustrating than knowing you came into a…
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What Happens if I Can’t Pay my Child Support in Michigan?
During these uncertain times, when many people are struggling to find jobs that pay them a living wage, and government assistance checks are on the verge of drying up, finances can be a tricky subject. So for those who are having difficulty making ends meet, paying child support in addition to all your regular bills…
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How do I Figure Out What my Stuff is Worth For My Divorce Case in Michigan?
When you get divorced in Michigan, just like everywhere else in the country, you and your spouse device up your belongings. The division of assets, where you determine who gets to keep that beautiful painting you bought together on your honeymoon, and who keeps Great Aunt Agatha’s fine china, is a standard part of pretty…
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DIY Divorce: It’s Not Always The Money Saving Option You’d Hoped For!
We live in a society that champions the DIY approach for just about everything. You only have to spend five minutes on Pinterest to find recipes for everything from homemade laundry detergent and sunblock, to instructions on how to build your own dining room table and weave your own hammock. While this wonderful variety of…
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Hiring The Wrong Divorce Attorney Can Cost You a Bundle!
Lawyers aren’t cheap, we know that. And just like shoes, mattresses, and cookware, you get what you pay for. But did you know that hiring the cheapest attorney you can find isn’t the only way to end up with the wrong attorney? Believe it or not, you can pay an arm and a leg for…