Michigan Family Law Attorneys

From the entry of an initial divorce complaint to the final judgment of divorce, we fight for our clients' interests — both emotional and legal. Several issues may arise from the filing of a divorce complaint, including child custody, child and spousal support, and parenting time. The firm also handles adoption, separation, premarital agreements, and paternity matters.

Child Custody

Ending a marriage presents a special set of issues when minor children are involved. Both parents typically love their children and place custody at the top of their list once divorce becomes imminent. An award of custody is influenced by several factors, all of which combine to ensure the best interests of the children are met.

Michigan courts recognize two kinds of joint custody: joint physical custody, which involves parenting time, and joint legal custody, which allows parents to share in making the important decisions affecting their children. With extensive experience in family law, we are able to recommend and pursue the type of custody that best fits a client's situation and the best interests of the minor children.

When deciding custody, courts first analyze whether each parent is fit to care for the children. This analysis considers how the children were cared for before the divorce, each parent's ability to provide and care for the children afterward, and any other relevant factors.

Child Support

Once custody is determined, the court analyzes the earning capacity of both parties. Based on that earning capacity, the court applies Michigan's child support formula to determine the appropriate monthly amount. The guidelines can be modified for good reason — especially if a child has special needs, a parent's income is affected by special circumstances, or earnings are sporadic. The court always puts the child's best interests above the financial interests of either parent.

Spousal Support

Once marital assets are divided and a couple's incomes are no longer combined, one party may be left with a much lower standard of living. Spousal support — once labeled alimony — is the payment of future income to a former spouse triggered by need. Unlike property division, spousal support is typically paid periodically and is considered taxable income to the recipient. In deciding whether such an arrangement is appropriate, the court considers several factors, including the length of the marriage, whether one party was the primary caretaker for the couple's children, and any discrepancy in the parties' earning capacity.

Parenting Time

Similar to child custody, a judgment regarding parenting time is based on the best interests of the child. Parenting time orders are incredibly important because, regardless of the custody decision, each parent is generally entitled to spend time with their children. We devote our expertise to ensuring children are able to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents — and to seeking modifications when a schedule no longer serves the children's interests.