There are many complicated issues that must be resolved when couples in Michigan and across the U.S. decide to file for divorce. One of the most emotional topics is child custody. Will the parents split custody or will the child primarily reside with one parent and visit the other on a planned schedule? Although studies show that joint parenting, in…
Whether you share custody of your child or you have sole custody, you may have a parenting plan in place that allows the non-custodial parent to visit your child on certain scheduled days. In many cases, it is important for a child to maintain a healthy relationship with both parents and spending time with the child fosters that bond. When…
When you file wish to terminate your marriage in Michigan, there are a number of factors that must be negotiated and put in the divorce settlement. Property division may be one the most difficult topics to cover, as people become attached to items they accumulate during their marriage. It is crucial to understand the differences between marital and separate property,…
Child support is designed to help children maintain the lifestyle that they were accustomed to when their parents were married. It is based off of the belief that children are entitled to the same amount of financial support that they would have received had their parents stayed together. Children should not have to suffer financially because of the decisions made…
Once the judge finalizes the child support order in a divorce settlement, the order is not set in stone. In some cases, the judge may be able to reassess your case and change the amount of child support due each month. At the Law Offices of Lisa Stern, we know that changes in life occur, and that modification of a…
Parents are not the only important people in a child’s life. Grandparents can play essential roles when it comes acting as a role model for children while they are growing up. Grandparents may, however, receive the short end of the stick when it comes to being able to visit their grandchildren once a divorce is finalized. According to Michigan legislation,…
While some couples are able to terminate their marriage and go their separate ways in a non-confrontational fashion, there are some divorce cases that are more intense in nature. Court litigation can be extremely intense and may end with one party in contempt of court or in jail. This is what happened to a Swartz Creek man, who was found…
Once a parenting plan is issued in a divorce settlement, there may come a time when the terms of the plan are no longer feasible for the parents. Changes in life circumstances occur, and in some situations, it may require the parenting plan and/or divorce settlement to be modified by the court. When either parent moves a significant distance from…
When parents legally separate or divorce in Michigan, the non-custodial parent is often ordered by the court to pay child support. This money helps to support children involved in a divorce in an attempt to minimize any financial devastation that may occur as a result of the divorce. Michigan uses the income shares model when determining how much child support…
If you decide to file for divorce, your children could suffer certain emotional and financial changes that can affect their lives in many ways. As a way to reduce the financial deficits that children may experience, the court may order the non-custodial parent to pay child support to the custodial parent. Both parents are financially responsible for supporting their children…