Tag: Divorce in Michigan
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Challenging Paternity Michigan Courts: What Parents Should Know About the Revocation of Parentage Act
In Michigan communities such as Lansing, St. Johns, Charlotte, and Ionia, families sometimes face unexpected legal challenges involving paternity. In Michigan’s law, paternity is called parentage. Michigan’s Revocation of Parentage Act (ROPA) was established to handle issues regarding legally established paternity. Understanding how this law works, and when it applies, is crucial for parents in…
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A Michigan Family Law Attorney’s Perspective on Prenuptial Agreements
After decades of practicing family law here in Michigan, I’ve learned that few topics generate as much confusion—and unnecessary fear—as prenuptial agreements. Many people assume a prenup will never hold up in a Michigan court, so they avoid the conversation altogether. That belief is simply incorrect. Michigan courts routinely enforce prenuptial (or “antenuptial”) agreements, provided…
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When the “Fun Parent” Costs You: Disney Dad Behavior in Michigan Divorces
Divorcing with children in Mid-Michigan cities like Lansing, Okemos, DeWitt, Jackson, Charlotte, St. Johns, or Ionia often comes with emotional mind games. One of the most common? The “Disney Dad” act. There is also the “Disney Mom” game. Your ex-spouse may be suddenly handing out expensive gifts, planning lavish vacations, buying new electronic devices, or…
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How a Nasty Divorce Can Hurt the Child: Attorney Charles M. Kronzek Explains
In Mid-Michigan, particularly within the Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, and Jackson circuit courts, family court judges are increasingly losing patience with “high-conflict” litigation. A recent appellate affirmation highlights a growing trend: the court will rescind a parent’s decision-making authority over the child not as a punishment for being “bad,” but as a logistical necessity when communication…
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Choosing the Right School When You Share Custody in Michigan
By Attorney Brandy Thompson In Michigan, the law encourages both parents to participate in major decisions affecting their child’s education, especially when joint legal custody is in place. When parents live in different school districts, selecting the right school for their child can become one of the most difficult decisions they face. So, how do…
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Can a Spouse Reduce Their Income to Avoid Paying Spousal Support in Michigan?
By Charles M. Kronzek Some Michigan residents believe spousal support (alimony) is less common than it used to be. Spousal support is no longer limited to outdated stereotypes. Michigan courts regularly award spousal support when the law allows it, and either spouse—male or female—may be ordered to pay or receive support, depending on the facts…
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Can I Change the Locks After Filing for Divorce in Michigan? What Mid-Michigan Spouses Should Know
By Brandy J Thompson, Michigan Divorce Attorney For many couples in Mid-Michigan, including those living in Lansing, Charlotte, St. Johns, Eaton County, Ingham County, Clinton County, or Ionia, filing for divorce can be a difficult decision. Divorces can be contentious, and one of the most difficult questions that comes up is whether you can change…
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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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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…
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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…