Category: For Your Information
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Property Settlements and Taxes in Mid-Michigan Divorce: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes
Attorney Charles Kronzek from The Kronzek Firm in Lansing explains how property settlements and taxes affect divorce in Mid-Michigan. Understand IRC § 1041, Michigan’s equitable distribution laws, and strategies to avoid hidden tax burdens when dividing marital property. When couples around Lansing, Michigan divorce, property division is more than simply deciding who keeps the house…
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Tips for a Peaceful Parenting Time Exchange in Mid-Michigan
For many separated or divorced parents in Mid-Michigan, including Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, Holt, Charlotte, and Mason, parenting time exchanges can be one of the most stressful parts of co-parenting. However, with the right strategies, you can make the transition smooth for your child and less stressful for everyone involved. Below are practical tips for…
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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…
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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…
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Stability and Permanence in Michigan Child Custody Cases: Two Important Factors: MCL 722.23(d) and (e)
When Michigan’s family courts decide child custody, the controlling question is always which arrangement serves the child’s best interests. Under our Child Custody Act, judges must evaluate the statutory best-interest “best interest factors” found in MCL 722.23 before entering a custody order. Two of the most significant factors are MCL 722.23(d) and MCL 722.23(e), both of which…
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When Can a Child Express a Custody Preference in Michigan? Clearing Up the “Magic Age” Myth for Mid-Michigan Families
Parents going through custody disputes in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, and Jackson counties often ask if their child’s preference matters to the judge. A common misconception is that Michigan law sets a “magic age” when a child can choose which parent they live with. The truth is a little more complex. Michigan Law: The Child’s Preference…
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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…
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How Do Michigan Judges Handle Parenting Time Violations During Holidays?
Holidays are traditionally a time for family, and often, each parent wants the children to be with them. In Michigan, holiday parenting time is scheduled through parenting time orders. A parenting time violation over the holidays can be devastating to the parent who is being denied their parenting time. If you live in Mid-Michigan, whether…
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If Both Parents Share Custody, Does Anyone Pay Child Support in Michigan?
Does 50/50 Custody Eliminate Child Support Obligations in Michigan? A frequent misconception among Michigan’s divorcing parents is the belief that a 50/50 physical custody arrangement—sharing parenting time equally—automatically negates the requirement for child support. As a matter of law, this is rarely the case. Under Michigan’s statutory framework, child support is not a “reward” or…
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Selecting the Right Divorce Attorney in Mid-Michigan: A Guide for Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton County Area Residents
Going through a divorce in Michigan counties such as Ingham, Eaton, Ionia, Jackson, Clinton, Shiawassee, and elsewhere in Mid-Michigan can feel overwhelming. Complex legal issues such as property division, custody disputes, division of retirement accounts, child support, and spousal support are confusing, complex, and draining. Choosing the right divorce attorney is one of the most…