No matter what your specific situation is, getting a divorce is usually a long and difficult process. Our attorneys here at The Kronzek Firm are here to help you through every step of the way. After decades of experience and helping hundreds through the divorce process, we’ve put together a list of the top 50 things you should know when getting a divorce in Michigan.
Going Through The Divorce Process:
- From beginning to end, the divorce process is extremely lengthy.
- Divorce will change your life in an irreversible way.
- Divorce is hectic, troubling, and stressful.
- Divorce is confusing for both spouses, and sometimes even to judges and lawyers.
- Divorce is a very formal legal process.
- Divorce is very time consuming; you can’t expect to complete all your regular tasks and goals during a divorce.
The Pain of Divorce:
- Divorce can be traumatic. Divorce can cause shock.
- Divorce is almost never one-sided, even though those going through a divorce often have selective memory as to the events that led to the divorce.
- Similarly, some people going through a divorce will be in denial (this could be your spouse).
- Sometimes, violent mental or physical abuse must be dealt with. We will help with that.
- Going through a divorce can cause intense emotions of anger or sadness. (We can help you with a referral to well-qualified counselors).
- Some divorcing spouses do not realize the seriousness or long-term effects of their divorce.
- It is difficult for some to envision and create a new life without their spouse.
- Some divorcing parties are extremely selfish and our attorneys will always work to protect your best interests.
How Your Relationships Will Change:
- Your in-laws will probably side with their own family. You cannot count on them being there for you after the divorce.
- If you wish to change your name, it is easiest to do this during the divorce process. Just note that others may not recognize you by your new name and it may take some time to adjust to your new identity.
- Be careful how you and your spouse act around your children. This will be a very vulnerable time for them, and hearing bitter arguments between parents could have devastating effects on the children.
- Some people may react negatively to your divorce because of their own beliefs regarding divorce.
- Acquaintances may not know or remember that you are divorced and it may take some reminding on your part for them to get it right.
- Friends that you and your spouse shared during marriage may feel the need to choose sides, or polarize, during and after the divorce.
- Children, too, may feel they have to choose between their parents. Sometimes, a divorced party purposely tries to get a child to be on his/her side at the expense of the other party. Judges do not tolerate alienating conduct by parents.
How Divorce May Affect Your Finances:
- Nearly everyone going through a divorce has worries about how the divorce will affect their finances.
- Getting a divorce is expensive. Some say that it’s worth every penny.
- If you receive any spousal support, remember that it will be too small to continue your lifestyle from before the divorce.
- If you receive any child support, it will be too small to continue raising your child in the same manner as before the divorce.
- If you are the spouse paying spousal support, your lifestyle will also be alerted because of how much money you will now have to pay your ex-spouse.
- If you are paying child support, saving money for retirement or anything else will now become significantly more difficult.
- Bills for each spouse will inevitably go up after divorce because the couple is no longer sharing living expenses with each other.
Navigating The Legal Aspects of Divorce:
- We know that our job as your lawyer in the future will change. This is not a responsibility we take lightly.
- The attorneys at The Kronzek Firm are held to a very high professional standard.
- Many issues litigated during the divorce are at the request of the parties and will not alter the outcome of the divorce. Pick your battles carefully.
- Many clients do not realize how little they know about divorce.
- The best way to handle divorce is through the legal system.
- A majority of lawyers practicing divorce law come from small or solo legal firms.
- The opposing attorneys will always try to prove that your attorney does not have a sound legal argument.
- The judge will only rule on claims backed by evidence.
- If divorce is your first involvement with a legal proceeding, you are going to learn a lot through this process.
- If you want to succeed in your divorce case, you must control your emotions.
- A small error by your attorney can make a big difference in the results of the case.
- You and your spouse are not the only ones affected by the results of the divorce case; your children and close family will be affected, too.
- Sometimes, it’s necessary for both parties to agree to disagree.
- Nothing is final until the judge signs and files the judgment of divorce.
- You might find an outcome of the case to be “unfair.”
- You probably won’t be given every single thing you asked for at the start of the divorce.
You And Your Divorce Attorney:
- For a successful divorce case, you need to have a good relationship with your attorney.
- You should find a divorce attorney with Mid-Michigan divorce experience. The Kronzek Firm attorneys have decades of experience in Ingham, Eaton, Jackson, Livingston, Ionia, and Clinton counties.
- If you do not have a good relationship with your current lawyer, it is okay to find a different one – just know that this will delay your divorce proceedings.
- You should find a divorce attorney who can talk to you throughout the day – you never know when a last-minute question might come up.
- Law is a competitive market. The experienced lawyers charge more, while the new ones are cheaper. Just remember that those with experience are likely able to do a better job.
- The Kronzek Firm has aided hundreds of clients through the divorce process throughout Mid-Michigan since the last century. We are experienced, respected, trusted, and approachable. We are available 24/7 at (517) 886-1000. Schedule a free consultation with us to get to know us and see if we would be a good fit for you.