Once the divorce is final, the ex-spouses are free to move on with dreams of a new life, new relationships, and often new locations. According to the Census Bureau, most Americans move 12 times during their adult lives, and many of the re-locations happen before the age of 40. When children are involved, the parents usually wish to keep some…
Contrary to what many Michigan residents may think, a prenuptial agreement is not about staking a claim over one’s assets and it is also not about dooming a marriage even before it begins. As people grow older, they change and their circumstances change. As a result, couples grow apart and might not want to remain married to someone who no…
Like the vast majority of states, Michigan has a Child Support Formula that, with some exceptions, the judges of this state are expected to follow. But the fact this state has a set formula for calculating child support does not mean that there are never disputes about how much support a parent should pay. Indeed, there are many points in…
There are situations when Michigan parents need to move. Whether it be for a new job opportunity, a relationship, or just to experience a new town, moving may be a complicated endeavor for those who have a child custody arrangement. Many things are considered when a Michigan parent wants to relocate. If you’re co-parenting after a divorce you probably don’t…
The dividing of retirement accounts can be one of the most complicated parts of the entire process. Many people do not realize it, but your retirement account is often your most valuable asset. If you’ve worked for a long time contributing to a 401k, IRA or pension plan, chances are these accounts have significant value. There are also several unique…
There’s no doubt that divorce is an emotional process. This is especially true when your children are involved in any sort of custody dispute you might have with your spouse. In order to adequately fight for yourself and your children, you need to be able to take care of yourself. That might sound challenging as you struggle to untangle your…
Readers of this blog are likely thinking about divorce or in the divorce process. For these Michiganders with kids, they are likely thinking about what co-parenting looks like after the divorce. And, a buzz term in recent years is, nesting, also known as birdnesting. But, what is it, and how can it make a divorce easier on children? Nesting defined…
When it comes time to divide the family home during the divorce process, divorcing couples may be unfamiliar with their options. Understanding the different ways that a home may be divided during divorce can help the property division process progress more smoothly. Divorcing couples may want to take into account considerations such as their financial position, their housing situation and…
Preparing for the child custody process can be challenging. For that reason, divorcing parents should prepare themselves by understanding how child custody is determined in Michigan with a focus on what is in the best interests of the child. The best interests of the child standard The best interests of the child standard is used to determine what child custody…
Changing family situations may require an examination of their legal relationships. Michigan law allows stepparent adoption that can cement a stepparent’s role in the family. General requirements Stepparents may seek court approval for adoption after they assume a parenting role. Adoption can occur at any time. But a child over 14 years old must agree to the adoption. The spouse…