Michigan’s Child Custody Act mandates that courts must make custody decisions in the child’s best interests. The Act goes on to describe the analysis the court must apply to determine the child’s best interests. I was recently reminded that staying focused on the child’s best interests (rather than that of the parents) can be emotionally […]
best interests, children, divorce, legal custody, primary custody, step-parentsThere 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, marriageObtaining a divorce judgment closes one chapter of a person's life, and it also opens another. It is important to be prepared for that new chapter. One of the essential matters I counsel my clients about, early in the divorce process, is the absolute necessity of updating an estate plan to reflect the change […]
401k, beneficiary designation, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce judgment, estate plan, estate planning attorney, living trust, pension, retirement benefits, retirement savings, willThe decision to seek a divorce is informed by many different factors. A major one is often concern about the economic fall-out of a divorce. After all, divorce can frequently mean supporting two households on the same income as previously supported the intact family. In the current economic downturn, economic concerns are front and […]
bad economy, couples, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce settlement, economic downturn, economy, ex-spouse, financial crisis, marital assets, marital debts, marriage, marriage relationship, shaky marriage, troubled marriageI am always dismayed when clients come into my practice without having had the benefit of careful divorce planning. Understandably, it is common to ignore the danger signs in a marital relationship. Nobody likes to think that their marriage may be in danger of dissolving. Facing reality and planning ahead, however, can avoid unnecessary stress […]
divorce, divorce planning, divorce settlement, estate planning, inheritance, marital assets, marital debt, marital home, marriage, MIchigan law, retirement accounts, separation, spouseYou’ve worked hard your entire adult life and have diligently saved money for retirement. It’s a good nest egg and a good start to a great retirement. Along comes a divorce. My retirement is safe from division because I worked and earned that money, right? That money’s mine, right? Wrong! In Michigan, your retirement […]
401k, court, division of retirement assets, divorce, employer, equity, ex-spouse, marital home, plan administrator, QDRO, Qualified Domestic Relations Order, retirement, retirement accounts, workDivorce is hard on children. It can be particularly hard on them at holiday time, as described by the authors in the article below, which presents excellent advice on how to ensure that, in spite of separation and divorce, children can still be children and have fun on the holidays. Children, Divorce and the HolidaysHow […]
children, custody, divorce, divorce family, families, holiday parenting, holiday visitation, separated, separated family, visitation schedulesOne of the most rewarding cases I ever worked on involved a couple who went to great extremes to set aside their differences for the sake of their four children. The marriage had broken down after numerous acts of infidelity by both parties. Needless to say, there was disappointment, anger and resentment. Nevertheless, the […]
children, co-parenting, custody, divorce, divorce judgment, divorce practice, ex-spouse, lawyers, marriage, spousesOne of the greatest concerns clients express to me is how they will afford health care after divorce. This is becoming a more critical issue in Michigan as the economy plummets and unemployment skyrockets. The State of Michigan is attempting to offer some help. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has launched a […]
divorce, economy, family, low cost health care, Michigan, Michigan Department of Community Health, unemployment