Once a child custody order is finalized post-separation, both parents are bound to the terms of the order. However, it is likely that your family will experience one or more unexpected life changes before your child turns 18. These changes may warrant a change in your custody arrangement. For example, you may receive an exciting new job offer that would…
Although they can be incredibly resilient, children are also extraordinarily fragile. To thrive, they need a safe home environment where they are loved and supported, and some routine doesn’t hurt either. But the sad reality is that far too many children are subjected to unhealthy, unstable, inconsistent, and downright dangerous living conditions, including those that involve parental substance abuse. Exposure…
When a couple decides to divorce and they have children, they will need to decide on a custody arrangement. There are two types of child custody, legal and physical custody. Legal custody allows a parent to make important decisions for the child about their education, religion and health. Physical custody refers to which parent the child lives with and where…
When a Michigan couple decides their only option is to get a divorce it has often been quite a process to get to this stage. A divorce is not an easy decision and can affect every aspect of a person’s life. There are many issues that a couple needs to work through in a divorce and if children are involved,…
Divorce is often filled with drama, which can make the painful emotions of the breakup even more difficult to bear. One aspect of divorce that is especially contentious for Michigan couples is property distribution. When spouses look at their assets, they may have different recollections about whether they bought that expensive painting together or if one of them owned it…
Typically, when a couple gets married, one spouse will assume the last name of the other spouse. If they have a child, that child will take the same surname as the parents. If the couple divorces at some point, the spouse who assumed the surname usually returns to their original last name. But what about a child? What if a…
The family home is a hot topic during a divorce. It is often the most expensive asset a couple owns, and one with a lot of emotional significance. This is why we have posted about what happens to the family home after a divorce. Though, the natural question that pops up after reading that article is, “what happens to the…
It may not be the most romantic subject to discuss during your engagement, but a prenuptial agreement can be a helpful financial planning tool for your marriage and help reduce time, conflict, and cost if you ever divorce. These contracts may be helpful for most couples but especially in these circumstances. Substantial assets A spouse having significant assets or income…
Michigan parents often prioritize the health and safety of their kids when going through divorces and separations. It can be monumentally hard to ensure that a child does not suffer during a major family transition, but there are tools under the law that can smooth disagreements about how a child’s post-divorce life should look. Those tools are child custody and…
Child custody decisions can have a significant impact on the lives of children, parents and families. For that reason, parents should be familiar with how child custody is determined when a child custody arrangement must be reached between the parents. Factors used to determine child custody Child custody factors that are used to make child custody decisions include: The love,…