When a marriage starts feeling unstable, most people do not know about those next steps. Some couples want space, but they are not ready to make anything permanent. Others feel certain the marriage is over but still have questions about finances or children. When it comes to legal separation vs. divorce, which option is right…
Deciding to file for divorce is not easy. For many people, the emotional side is already difficult enough before the legal process even begins. Once paperwork, court procedures, and deadlines enter the picture, it can quickly start to feel a bit overwhelming. If you are considering divorce in Oakland County, you want to know how…
Separation, divorce, and annulment all seek to end a marriage in some way. Yet, each is uniquely different from the others in what they accomplish, how they are obtained, and their effects. Here’s what you need to know. Separation: To separate means to move apart, but not necessarily to officially end things. Separation in Michigan…
We’ve all heard of prenuptial agreements – agreements signed between two parties before they get married – but postnuptial agreements are a rare breed. They do exist, however, and are recognized in Michigan. They are essentially an agreement signed after the parties wed and are designed to protect property of an individual in the event…
You have been to mediation with your attorney. The mediator helped both parties reach an agreement on all the issues in the divorce case, including division of personal property, division of debt, determination on what to do with the marital home, and all issues involving the children. The first question asked by many clients is…
Children are often portrayed as the losers in divorce because the assumption is that they would be better off with two parents in the same household, rather than shuffling between homes, or worse, being used as a pawn in the larger divorce fight. However, it is possible for divorce to be beneficial for children. Here’s…
One of the most complicated aspects of divorce is the division of marital property. Michigan is an equitable distribution state, meaning that all qualifying property will be divided “equitably”, or fairly. It is important to remember that in this instance, “fairly” doesn’t necessarily mean “equally.” If the couple cannot come to an agreement regarding property…
On Tuesday, September 8th, I woke to discover that the right half of my face was losing its muscle tone. I did not know in the early morning hours that I was beginning to manifest physical signs of having Bell’s Palsy. I knew it did not look right. I quickly sent a photo to my…