When parents in Michigan break up or divorce, they have to figure out a way to co-parent following the end of their relationship. Typically, you will either negotiate an arrangement with one another and submit it to the Michigan family courts or ask a judge to create...
Year: 2022
Can I file for divorce without hiring a lawyer?
In the age of the internet, many people feel like they can do the work of other skilled professionals. However, many people have learned the hard way that simply watching a video tutorial online about replacing pipes in their home does not result in a leak-free end...
Am I responsible for my spouse’s debt?
Marriage may be about love, but divorce is (most often) all about finances. You don’t realize exactly how much a marriage is like a business arrangement – until you’re suddenly deep into the process of dividing up the marital assets and debts. It’s the debts that...
Why do couples drift apart?
Many divorce cases happen for concrete reasons, such as an affair or financial trouble. But a lot of divorces also happen because couples just feel like they’ve drifted apart, the relationship has changed and they are no longer connected the way that they were before....
Can you claim some of your business assets as separate property?
Michigan spouses preparing for divorce have to look carefully at their marital estates. Much of what you own is likely property that you share with your spouse and therefore have to divide when you divorce. The equitable distribution rules in Michigan will require...
Developing a strong and workable parenting plan
The parenting plan that you draft with your ex will govern your co-parenting relationship for years to come. Although it is possible for either of you to ask the courts for a modification, most couples would prefer to avoid going back to court repeatedly over...
Did the executor breach their fiduciary duty?
Testators creating their estate plans often spend a lot of time thinking about who to name as their executors. If they don't name someone, the probate courts may choose an individual to handle probate matters and the distribution of someone's assets. Being an executor...
The simplest step toward shared custody as an unmarried dad
Unmarried fathers in Michigan have the same basic rights as married fathers and mothers do. The laws discussing parental rights and responsibilities do not specifically designate certain rights to parents based on their sex or their marital status. However, marital...
Does Michigan law allow you to disinherit family members?
After supporting someone financially for years, you may eventually grow to resent that obligation. Especially when people treat you poorly or fail to take appropriate steps to provide for their own basic needs, the idea that they expect you to continue providing them...
How co-parents can determine where their children go to school
Many parents working together to raise their children live in different houses. Each parent plays an important role in the lives of the children, and they also serve as a source of support for each other. They share time with the children, as well as financial and...