Protect What Matters Most
Most people's greatest happiness revolves around their family. Watching your children grow, and time spent with your spouse may be some of the very best memories that you have. However, when family issues arise, they can very quickly cause great uncertainty, a sense of helplessness, and strong feelings that the center of your life may be slipping away.
My job, as a family law attorney, is to take away the burden of confusion and uncertainty by providing tangible solutions to family issues and return to you a sense of control over your unique circumstances. Trying to work your way through the legal system on your own will dramatically increase your anxiety and stress at what may already be the most stressful time of your life. It may also result in your overlooking specific time deadlines or court requirements which may have a very negative effect on your case.
If you are experiencing a difficult family situation or are contemplating a divorce, you need an attorney that you can trust to help you "protect what matters most."
CALL (616) 965-1040 for a Free Consultation.
Family Law Issues:
Divorce
Michigan is a "no-fault" state, meaning that you do not have to prove fault to get a divorce. It also means that if you want a divorce, you can get one.
Divorce covers a wide range of issues and every divorce is as unique as the individuals involved. If there are children involved, there may be custody, parenting time, and support issues. If you have acquired assets, there may be issues regarding property division. An experienced attorney can help you sort through these issues and get the best possible result for you and your children.
Child Custody
Child custody can be a difficult issue, especially when the parties do not agree on the best custody arrangement. If the parties can reach an agreement, courts will likely consider it in awarding custody. This is the best case scenario.
However, parties rarely agree on child custody. There are often questions as to where the children will live and who makes medical and educational decisions. There are different types of custody arrangements, but the best interests of the children is the most important consideration in determining who has primary or legal custody. An experienced attorney can help you reach a custody arrangement that is best for you and your children.
Child Support
Child support can be confusing to both the payer and the payee. The Friend of the Court has a significant role in determining the amount of child support, however, not many people know how the Friend of the Court works and how they make their determination. Child support is based on the needs of the children and the ability of the other party to pay. This may sound simple, but it is made more difficult when one party loses his or her job, the children's needs change, or the expenses of either party change. An experienced attorney will help you make your best case for a child support arrangement that works for you and your children.
Parenting Time
Parenting time and Child Custody issues are often confused. Parenting time relates to the day-to-day and week-to-week schedule of your time with your children. Parenting Time questions include Who will spend time with the children during the Holidays?, Who is responsible for transportation?, and What if the other party does not cooperate with the Parenting time schedule? An experienced attorney will try to resolve and enforce parenting time issues with minimal involvement with the court, if possible.
Spousal Support
Formerly known as alimony, Spousal Support is an issue that arises when the parties have been married for a relatively long time and when there is inequality of income, education, or earning power. Spousal support is often a highly contested issue, though it can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. An experienced attorney will analyze you and your spouses income and earning potential and provide the court with effective arguments toward a support arrangement.
Paternity
Paternity is about the Father's legal rights. Believe it or not, there are many types of fathers, and just because you are on the birth certificate does not make you dad. It is often necessary to establish paternity to protect a father's rights, or to revoke paternity to avoid paying child support for a child that is not yours. An experienced attorney will protect a father's rights to be involved in his child's life or avoid unnecessary payments where paternity is incorrectly determined.
Property Division
Property division comes up in the context of a divorce. Often, property issues are as hotly contested as child custody and parenting time. If you have accumulated property, or debt, with your spouse, a division of those assets will occur. The question is, who gets what? The courts will consider whether property is marital or separate. Generally, assets and debts you acquire during the marriage are considered marital property and are divided "50-50". Courts also attempt to distribute the property and debts in a manner that is fair to both parties. An experienced attorney will help you sort through property issues and make sure you get what belongs to you.
My job, as a family law attorney, is to take away the burden of confusion and uncertainty by providing tangible solutions to family issues and return to you a sense of control over your unique circumstances. Trying to work your way through the legal system on your own will dramatically increase your anxiety and stress at what may already be the most stressful time of your life. It may also result in your overlooking specific time deadlines or court requirements which may have a very negative effect on your case.
If you are experiencing a difficult family situation or are contemplating a divorce, you need an attorney that you can trust to help you "protect what matters most."
CALL (616) 965-1040 for a Free Consultation.
Family Law Issues:
Divorce
Michigan is a "no-fault" state, meaning that you do not have to prove fault to get a divorce. It also means that if you want a divorce, you can get one.
Divorce covers a wide range of issues and every divorce is as unique as the individuals involved. If there are children involved, there may be custody, parenting time, and support issues. If you have acquired assets, there may be issues regarding property division. An experienced attorney can help you sort through these issues and get the best possible result for you and your children.
Child Custody
Child custody can be a difficult issue, especially when the parties do not agree on the best custody arrangement. If the parties can reach an agreement, courts will likely consider it in awarding custody. This is the best case scenario.
However, parties rarely agree on child custody. There are often questions as to where the children will live and who makes medical and educational decisions. There are different types of custody arrangements, but the best interests of the children is the most important consideration in determining who has primary or legal custody. An experienced attorney can help you reach a custody arrangement that is best for you and your children.
Child Support
Child support can be confusing to both the payer and the payee. The Friend of the Court has a significant role in determining the amount of child support, however, not many people know how the Friend of the Court works and how they make their determination. Child support is based on the needs of the children and the ability of the other party to pay. This may sound simple, but it is made more difficult when one party loses his or her job, the children's needs change, or the expenses of either party change. An experienced attorney will help you make your best case for a child support arrangement that works for you and your children.
Parenting Time
Parenting time and Child Custody issues are often confused. Parenting time relates to the day-to-day and week-to-week schedule of your time with your children. Parenting Time questions include Who will spend time with the children during the Holidays?, Who is responsible for transportation?, and What if the other party does not cooperate with the Parenting time schedule? An experienced attorney will try to resolve and enforce parenting time issues with minimal involvement with the court, if possible.
Spousal Support
Formerly known as alimony, Spousal Support is an issue that arises when the parties have been married for a relatively long time and when there is inequality of income, education, or earning power. Spousal support is often a highly contested issue, though it can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. An experienced attorney will analyze you and your spouses income and earning potential and provide the court with effective arguments toward a support arrangement.
Paternity
Paternity is about the Father's legal rights. Believe it or not, there are many types of fathers, and just because you are on the birth certificate does not make you dad. It is often necessary to establish paternity to protect a father's rights, or to revoke paternity to avoid paying child support for a child that is not yours. An experienced attorney will protect a father's rights to be involved in his child's life or avoid unnecessary payments where paternity is incorrectly determined.
Property Division
Property division comes up in the context of a divorce. Often, property issues are as hotly contested as child custody and parenting time. If you have accumulated property, or debt, with your spouse, a division of those assets will occur. The question is, who gets what? The courts will consider whether property is marital or separate. Generally, assets and debts you acquire during the marriage are considered marital property and are divided "50-50". Courts also attempt to distribute the property and debts in a manner that is fair to both parties. An experienced attorney will help you sort through property issues and make sure you get what belongs to you.
