Category: For Your Information
-
Understanding the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
When parents live in different states, figuring out where a child custody case should be filed can quickly become confusing and stressful. For Michigan parents navigating divorce, separation, or establishing child custody, it’s important to understand how jurisdiction is determined in custody disputes—and why it matters. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) is…
-
Grandparents’ Rights in Mid-Michigan:
A Legal Guide to Grandparenting Time For many grandparents in the Lansing area and all over Ingham County, Eaton County and Clinton County, maintaining a strong relationship with their grandchildren is deeply important. But when divorce, separation, death, or estrangement happen, grandparents may find themselves facing the possibility of losing those relationships. Fortunately, Michigan law…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Understanding Annulment in Michigan: A Legal Guide for Individuals Seeking to Void a Marriage
For residents of Michigan, particularly those in Ingham, Clinton, Eaton County, and throughout Mid-Michigan, understanding how annulment works under Michigan law is essential if you’re considering ending your marriage in this way. Unlike divorce, which terminates the marriage, an annulment in Michigan is an adjudication that the marriage was never legally valid. Essentially, the marriage…
-
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…
-
Establishing Paternity in Michigan: A Comprehensive Guide
Why Paternity Matters As a team of family law attorneys in Michigan, we understand that establishing paternity isn’t just about legal technicalities—it’s about securing the rights and well-being of parents and their children. Whether you’re married or unmarried, paternity plays an important role in determining child custody, child support, and visitation arrangements. Let’s dive into…
-
Navigating Family Dispute Resolution in Michigan: Your Comprehensive Guide
Introduction Family disputes can be emotionally draining, impacting not only the individuals involved but also their children and extended family members. As divorce lawyers practicing in Mid Michigan, our team has witnessed firsthand the complexities of family law cases of almost every kind during the past several decades. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore Michigan-specific…
-
Divorce and Bankruptcy: Navigating the Intersection
Timing Matters: Filing Before, During, or After Divorce When assisting clients with divorce cases, we prioritize property settlement discussions right after issues concerning minor children need to be resolved. Among critical considerations is the timing of bankruptcy filings. Should it occur before, during, or after the divorce process? Our collaborative approach involves consulting with bankruptcy…
-
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,…