Helping People Move Forward With Their Lives

Experienced Livingston County Family Law Attorney

The lawyer you choose for your divorce or family law matter can have a significant impact on your experience of the legal process, the tone of your divorce and, of course, the outcome of your case.

At Gormley Law Offices, PLC, in Livingston County, our attorneys strive to help clients find agreeable solutions in the process of divorce and to maintain or develop a positive working relationship with their ex-spouse. After all, adding anger to an already stressful situation rarely leads to better resolutions and, if you share children, you will need to work together for many years to come.

Our calm, reassuring and reasonable approach helps clients focus on reaching their goals in all aspects of divorce proceedings. Whether you need an alimony lawyer, a property division lawyer, a child custody lawyer or a child support lawyer, we have you covered. For a free consultation, call us today at 517-219-9301 or fill out our online form.

How Our Livingston County Family Attorney In Michigan Can Help

We handle more than contested or uncontested divorce. The Michigan family law attorneys at Gormley Law Offices, PLC, provide comprehensive legal services to meet many of the needs a family will encounter, including:

Custody: In a divorce with kids, child custody takes center stage. Our attorneys protect the rights of parents and the best interests of the children when working out custody arrangements.
Support: A Michigan divorce lawyer from the firm can ensure a fair determination of child support is calculated. Factors that are included in the mandatory formula include the gross income of each parent and each parent’s number of overnights.
Mothers’ and fathers’ rights: We receive many referral clients in this area of practice, particularly from fathers we have helped in the past. If you are a parent who is concerned about child custody, talk to our lawyers.
Asset division: Property, assets and debts in a Michigan divorce will be divided equitably. Factors that are considered in the division include marital property, separate property, length of the marriage, value of assets, value of the home, inheritance during the marriage, premarital property, child support and spousal support.
Relocations: In Michigan, parents cannot move more than 100 miles from their current location without the court’s permission. If you need to relocate with your children due to a job or other factor, our attorneys can help. The firm also represents those parents who oppose a change of domicile.
Parenting time/visitation: We strive for healthy parenting time that allows each parent to spend quality time with the children. We also encourage parents to be as amicable as possible toward the other parent. However, if there is a reason for one parent to have limited time, we will fight for proper parenting time.
Spousal support: Spousal support can be awarded on a permanent or temporary basis. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. Our alimony attorneys work hard to maximize your success — whether you will be paying support or receiving support. We also explain the IRS implications of this type of award.
PPOs: Have you been accused of stalking, harassment or have you been issued a personal protection order? Or, are you the victim of domestic assault, stalking, harassment or another action that places you in danger? Our law firm represents people on both sides of this sensitive issue.
Modifying and enforcing orders: Modification and enforcement issues can arise in the months and years that follow the finalization of a divorce. Modification and enforcement can involve child custody, child support and spousal support.

Answers To Your Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Choose A Good Family Lawyer?

It’s important to have someone you can talk to. If you’re able to be open and honest with your attorney, the two of you can find a solution that truly works for you.

Some people find it best to interview potential lawyers. This gives you a feel for their communication style. Remember, a lawyer works for you – not the other way around. Another important thing to discuss right away is payment. Understanding potential costs is a key component in legal cases.

When Should I Hire A Family Lawyer?

We how intimidating the legal system can be. However, it is best to get experienced guidance instead of trying to figure it out on your own. If you choose to go without representation, you could end up in a less-than-favorable position. We are here to protect your best interests every step of the way.

How Can A Family Lawyer Help You?

By knowing the laws, a family lawyer can put your case in favorable position. This is important when it comes to custody schedules, dividing property and determining alimony.

These cases are often highly emotional. Lawyers think logically and keep your best interests in mind. They also can clearly explain what your options are.

Ultimately, you will have to make the decisions as to how to move forward. However, having a clear understanding of what you can do is crucial. That is where our team can step in.

What Should I Look For In A Family Lawyer?

Someone you can trust is the most important asset. Since an attorney acts on your behalf, making sure that they understand your concerns is imperative.

For example, our firm has handled complex family law cases for almost 25 years. We are hands-on, communicative and compassionate. Our clients truly feel like the have an ally in their corner. This can make all the difference when you’re caught in a difficult situation.

How Long Will My Family Law Case Take To Resolve?

Unfortunately, there is no set timeline for resolving a family law issue (or a set of issues, as is often required when getting a divorce). Each family is unique, which means each case is unique. As a general rule, however, any family law issue is likely to resolve more quickly if both sides can maintain open communication and show a willingness to negotiate. Conversely, if both parties dig their heels in and refuse to even consider an alternative position, the dispute could go on indefinitely.

Should I Try To Find A Family Law Lawyer Who Shares A Similar Personality To Mine?

Not necessarily. It is important to find an attorney you feel you can trust and with whom you can be open/honest. For this reason, you may think you need to hire someone like yourself. However, lawyers of many different personality types can be effective. Moreover, hiring someone with a different personality can be advantageous because they might offer a perspective about your case that you didn’t think of.

As we noted above, you do need to trust your attorney and to know that they are working in your best interest. This is something we attempt to show our clients each day – just as we have for the past 25 years.

Will Allegations Of Domestic Violence Greatly Impact My Family Law Case?

Violence and threats of violence are an issue that often looms large in family law cases – particularly divorce and child custody matters. Whether you are the alleged perpetrator or the alleged victim, allegations of domestic violence will likely play a significant role in both the process and the outcome of the case.

When we represent you, we will help you give the court an honest and accurate picture of what has occurred – without minimizing or exaggerating – and provide any necessary context. Because we also practice criminal law, we are ideally suited to guide clients through criminal charges, personal protection orders and related matters.

Should I Limit My Social Media Use Until My Family Law Issue Is Resolved?

Since Facebook launched in the early 2000s, it and other social media sites have become a treasure trove of information in divorce, custody and other family law matters. As a general rule, it is a good idea to limit your use of social media during this time or at least be especially judicious about what you choose to post. You should assume that despite your privacy settings, anything you post online could later be seen by your spouse/co-parent, an attorney or the judge overseeing your case.

Call Our Trusted Family Law Attorneys To Discuss Your Case

In addition, we handle premarital agreements, paternity, stepparent adoptions, guardianships, estate planning and related concerns. To schedule your free consultation, call 517-219-9301 or email us. We serve clients in Livingston County and in nearby communities like Lansing/East Lansing and Howell.