The emotional upheaval of divorce can cloud the cut-and-dried financial details that are a large part of both ending a marriage and setting a course for the future. With the median cost of divorce at $7,500, the cost of the split can potentially be high in other ways as well. As Michigan is an equitable division state, the judge will…
Parents in Bloomfield Hills who are going through a divorce often want to protect their children as much as possible. They may wonder if it there is a good age to divorce or if they should even stay together for the kids. It is no secret that divorce will affect a child, even if the final outcome is beneficial for…
Child support is a crucial aspect of Michigan family law. When parents are no longer together as a couple but have a child, the child’s needs must be met. That includes a home, clothing, medical care, dental care, extracurricular activities, and more. Paying and receiving child support can sometimes lead to disagreements. Perhaps the supporting parent believes he or she…
In Michigan and across the nation, marriages will inevitably face a litany of challenges. During normal times, relationships have their ups and downs. When there is a worldwide health crisis that changes how people live, work and function, it can exacerbate existing strains and create new ones. As the pandemic continues and people are forced to work from home, help…
Child custody and parenting time can be difficult for Michigan couples during and after a divorce. The goal is to craft a nurturing and positive environment for the child while serving his or her best interests and simultaneously assist the parents in maintaining a relationship with the child. However, custodial parents might want to change their residence and bring the…
If you have children with your former partner, Michigan law generally requires that you provide for them until they reach the age of majority. Noncustodial parents typically make lump sum payments each month that can be used to buy food, pay rent, or pay health insurance premiums. In some cases, you may be required to make child support payments even…
Stepparent adoption can be one of the most exciting and stressful experiences during a parent’s lifetime. It can be easy to consider the more immediate concerns associated with adoption, such as hiring an attorney, addressing details associated with the other biological parent, filling out paperwork, attending court hearings, and hoping for a smooth process. Thinking about the newly adopted child’s…
Couples in Bloomingfield Hills who have been married for decades and are now seeking a divorce face issues that their younger counterparts may not. One issue that may worry many of those at or near retirement is what will happen to their retirement accounts if they divorce. The following is some information about retirement accounts and divorce, but as always,…
Child support is a court-ordered monthly payment that one parent pays to the other parent to aid in raising children. Parents who receive monthly payments recognize how crucial it is to receive payments consistently and on time. Under ideal circumstances, child support payments are automatically withheld from the payer’s paycheck. The Michigan State Disbursement Unit, part of the state’s child…
Adoption takes time and careful preparation. This is true even with stepparent adoption. It is a permanent commitment to the stepchild that comes with all of the rights and responsibilities of a parent, even in the event that the stepparent’s marriage with the child’s biological parent ends in divorce. Key requirements for stepparent adoption Stepparents who want to pursue adoption…