The newly enacted tax code will effect some very significant changes that directly impact the practice of family law and the nature of settlement negotiations in both divorce and custody cases. This article considers the impact on the payment of spousal support in divorce cases. As of this writing, I have practiced family law for […]
One of the most challenging issues that can arise in a family law case occurs when the opposing party is self-employed. Simply put, throughout my career in family law practice, I can safely say that virtually every self-employed person in litigation reports a downturn in business that is coincident to the legal case, whether it […]
There has been a dramatic change in social security law that will affect spousal benefits and therefore, must be considered by parties facing divorce. The new rules went into effect (with virtually no warning to the public) on November 15, 2015. Historically, ex-spouses could each independently decide when to file for social security benefits based […]
alimony, child support, divorce, divorce attorney, property settlement, settlement negotiations, social security benefits, spousal support, supportSometimes I think I am the only person in the world who does not use Facebook. Well, actually I do have a Facebook page for my law practice, but I do not have one for personal use. I do not post personal news or photos, nor do I check out the Facebook pages of my […]
children, custody, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce judgment, divorce settlement, Facebook, marital assets, marital home, marriageIt is not uncommon for me to receive phone calls or emails from people inquiring whether they really “need” an attorney for their divorce. They don’t own much and they agree about everything. Often a brief conversation reveals that there are property issues they do not know how to handle or children involved with various […]
Michigan is a pro-marriage state. Public policy favors marriage between domestic partners and our laws reflect that favoritism. Indeed, Michigan does not recognize what is referred to as “common law marriage.” Over my career as a family law lawyer, I have had many potential clients query me about their “rights” when dissolving their live-in relationship […]
common law marriage, equitable property division, meritricious relationshipIt is indeed an exciting time to be practicing family law – there are changes in the wind, and today, I would like to remark on one of them that I see coming – prenuptial agreements and gay married couples. Once upon a time prenuptial agreements (prenups) were the sole province of the rich and […]
Even though Michigan is a “no-fault” state for divorce, “fault” of a party can be considered by the court when it divides assets and debts during a divorce proceeding.
no-fault divorce, property division