It is not uncommon for stepparents to want to adopt their stepchildren for one reason or another which may include emotional and legal reasons. Stepparents should be prepared for what to expect from the stepparent adoption process so they can navigate it as smoothly...
If parents decide to divorce, must the children stand up before a judge and choose which parent they want to live with? No. There are several reasons why not. For starters: Under Michigan law, children do not have the legal right to choose where they want to live...
Establishing child support can be a daunting task. You want to ensure that your child’s needs are met, but you also want to protect your financial health. In the state of Michigan, courts use a formula to create a child support arrangement that takes your income, your...
Property division is the common thread amongst all divorces in America, with few exceptions. While some divorce cases may involve other issues as well, such as child custody, child support and alimony, every divorcing couple will need to figure out how to divide their...
A majority of families in Michigan have a family pet like a dog or cat. These animals are often seen as members of the family and they are treated as such, many times lovingly referred to as “fur babies”. When a couple decides they no longer want to be married who...
Some people in Michigan who are getting a divorce might find themselves at an impasse with a spouse over property division or child custody. At this point, they may be facing a choice of whether to settle or go to litigation. There are a few factors to consider. Cost...
The divorce rate for people over the age of 50 doubled between 1990 and 2010. Michigan couples who end their marriages after turning 50 are said to be going through a gray divorce. One of the primary reasons people get divorced later in life is because they aren't...
Michigan parents who are negotiating child custody might have to deal with a challenge if one of the parents claims parental alienation. While experts question its credibility, parental alienation is still being used and accepted in courts and can significantly impact...
Divorce is on the rise for older adults in Michigan and nationwide, and this can mean that they have accumulated a substantial amount of retirement savings. There are regulations around dividing retirement accounts in the process. In some cases, a document called a...
Part of looking out for a child's best interests when co-parenting involves creating an effective parenting plan. Michigan co-parents may be interested in learning about some basic guidelines on how to divide time between parents based on a child's age. Babies and...
