Parents usually have to share responsibility for their children. When married couples divorce, they typically negotiate plans so that they can share custody of their children. Each parent receives a certain portion of parenting time, and the parents have to cooperate...
Year: 2024
Protecting a business or professional practice during divorce
Most personal resources are at risk during divorce proceedings. State equitable distribution statutes require that spouses divide the property and income they acquired during the marriage when they divorce. Some assets can be difficult to address because people have...
What happens during intestate probate proceedings?
There are two different general paths for an estate to take through probate court. The first involves probate proceedings guided by an estate plan. When the decedent had the foresight to draft a will or fund a trust prior to their passing, the documents they...
Do cohabitating couples have to worry about common-law marriage?
The idea of marriage has lost some of its luster in modern society. With relatively high divorce rates and fewer legal benefits derived from marrying, many couples choose to avoid marriage. They may have children together or buy a home together without involving the...
What are the most common causes of probate litigation?
Many estates move through the probate process with minimal issues. The testator may have left a thorough estate plan, which allows the family to easily follow their wishes. They may not have drafted a will, in which case state law determines how their personal...
Addressing a jointly-owned home during a non-marital breakup
Many committed couples decide to buy homes together. Acquiring a house is often a priority for newly-married couples. People who do not intend to marry may also decide to buy together. Doing so can be more cost-effective than renting, and the couple can acquire equity...
Understanding unitrusts and income trusts in Michigan
Unitrusts and income trusts are important estate planning tools that can help to manage and distribute one’s assets. Each trust can serve a unique role in one’s portfolio. It is wise to have a basic understanding of how each works before choosing one of these tools to...
Parenting plan considerations for unmarried exes
Creating a parenting plan is an important task for parents who are no longer together but share custody of their child. This is true whether a former couple is divorcing or an unmarried former couple is going their separate ways. If you and your ex never married, you...
What are grounds for divorce in Michigan?
Most people get married with the assumption that the union will last forever. They don’t expect that they’ll end up going through a divorce, but things sometimes happen and marriages break down to the point that they can’t be saved. For those who live in Michigan,...
What is the expected impact of durable POA changes in Michigan?
Michigan's adoption of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA) on July 1, 2024, brings significant changes to how durable Powers of Attorney (POA) operate in the state. These changes aim to standardize and simplify POAs, making them more effective and accessible....