Status quo

Q: How are the bills paid during a divorce? A: Financial Status Quo Order

A breakdown in a marriage can also be a breakthrough in finding happiness regardless of how the marriage is ending.  While you may feel like life is in disorder, the bills still need to be paid which begs the question:  Who pays the bills during a divorce?  The answer can be found in a Financial[…]

Allard v. Allard

How the Allard III case killed pre and post-nuptial agreements.

The Allard III case may have killed one of the most valuable tools in a Michigan divorce lawyers toolbox in drafting a separation agreement after parties marry.  Unlike a pre-nuptial agreement, which is entered into before a couple gets married and predetermines the outcome of a potential divorce, a post-nuptial agreement is entered after the parties[…]

Post-nuptial

Ending a Marriage When You Still Love Each Other

When a marriage is filled with anger, dysfunction, conflict, and even hate, it seems plausible and even reasonable that it should and will end in divorce. After all, marriage is a relationship built on love and respect that lasts until the end of time. Or at least until the love and respect run out and[…]

after divorce travel

Travelling Alone: Getting Away After Divorce or Separation

A bevy of emotions unleash during the process of separation or divorce … and rarely do any of them feel peaceful, settled or anything other than exhausting. Many people at this point consider taking a trip – however long or short – as a means of clearing their minds and bringing focus to their next[…]

divorce and special needs

Managing Divorce with a Special Needs Child

If you are a parent of a special needs child, you already know how much more challenging your days are providing care, education, treatments, and socialization for your child. Divorce is often an emotionally charged event for a couple with no children, quite a bit more so for a couple with children, and exceptionally challenging[…]

taxes on alimony

Paying (or not paying) taxes on Alimony (spousal support).

Alimony in Michigan When every dollar counts, paying (or not paying) taxes on alimony can be a big deal.  Under Michigan law, “Alimony” is the same as “Spousal Support” and are payments made to support a spouse after divorce.  The primary factors in determining an amount of alimony are the age, education, length of marriage[…]

Michigan divorce statistics

15 Mind-Blowing Michigan Divorce Statistics

Mind Blowing Michigan Divorce Statistics. Divorce is nothing new, nor is it something that rarely happens anymore. Everyone knows someone who has divorced. And, that is just as true here in the state of Michigan. Take a look at these mind-blowing Michigan Divorce Statistics.   All stats here refer to the year 2015 unless noted otherwise.[…]

File a Michigan divorce

Where to file a Michigan divorce? – The Jurisdictional and Residency Requirements of a Divorce

Where can you file a Michigan divorce? I was recently approached by the editors of the Michigan Family Law Journal to write a monthly column on Michigan Divorce and Family Law.  The Michigan Family Law Journal is a publication of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and serves as “Family Law Council’s forum to[…]

Change of circumstances

Brush and floss or prepare for loss – a change of circumstances?

The Michigan Court of Appeals recently decided a case involving dental hygiene to change custody, affirming the trial court’s decision that there was neither proper cause or a change of circumstances sufficient to warrant a change of custody. In the case of Kelly v. Johnson, Michigan Court of Appeals Case No. 334144, the father was[…]

Michigan divorce

Common Red Flags That Can Signal a Marriage Breakdown

People often say that they should have seen the signs of a deteriorating marriage sooner. It’s hard to notice subtle changes in everyday behavior, though, but you might notice persistent behaviors that just don’t quite add up. We combed many sources and found several recurring themes on this topic. Here are a few common red[…]

blank

The 2017 Michigan Child Support Formula Manual and Supplement

The 2017 Michigan Child Support Formula Manual (“MCSFM”) The new Michigan Child Support Formula Manual has arrived. The last time the Michigan Child Support Formula Manual was updated was 2013. The major changes to the 2017 Michigan Child Support Formula Manual are set forth on pages “i” and “ii” and are restated below.  You can[…]

Marriage is ending

10 Tips for Staying Productive when your Marriage is Ending.

Moving forward with your life is so hard when your marriage is ending. It can be really hard to stay focused and get anything done at home, work, or school. There are some little things that you can do to regain some of that focus and stay productive when you just want to curl up[…]

Child custody laws in Michigan

Everything there is to know about Michigan Child Custody Laws.

On of the most prolific family law topics relates to child custody and in this article, we will cover more Michigan Child Custody Laws than anyone.  Everything from the basics, to the complex.  In this post we will review everything we have published on the topic of Michigan Child Custody Laws. Michigan child custody resource[…]

blank

5 Tips for Introducing Your New Partner to Your Kids

After you and your spouse have separated, divorced, or found yourselves somewhere in between, you might find yourself in the position of finding a new love interest. And, if you already have kids, you might be wondering when the right time will be to share the news about your new partner with your kids. According[…]

divorce coach

What is a divorce coach and do you need one?

It seems that there’s a coach for everything these days, and that includes divorce, too. While your Findling Law lawyer is your most trusted expert when it comes to all of the legal and strategic aspects of your divorce, you may find that you could use some other types of support during this challenging time. That’s[…]

divorce selfies

Divorce Selfies: The Closure on Divorce

Chances are, you’ve got a smartphone and that you’ve taken some photos with it. You might even have taken a selfie or two, at least to send to your mother or to create a profile picture for your social media accounts. You may even have taken some selfies along the course of your divorce, to[…]

blank

When is a deal a deal?

When is a deal a deal?  Settlements. I was recently approached by the editors of the Michigan Family Law Journal to write a monthly column on Michigan Divorce and Family Law.  The Michigan Family Law Journal is a publication of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and serves as “Family Law Council’s forum to[…]

Parallel Parenting

Parallel Parenting: When You Just Can’t Co-Anything Anymore

You’ve probably heard of co-parenting, a term used to describe the situation in which a child’s parents are no longer married or living together. These parents are no longer together as a couple, but they work together to parent the child. But, what happens when the conflict between the parents is really high? They really[…]

Parenting Guilt

Feel Like a Parenting Failure After Divorce? Parenting guilt? You’re Not Alone

It’s called parenting guilt, and all parents feel it at one time or another. In fact, the best of parents in the most secure relationships with excellent financial and emotional security can feel it. So, if you’re in the process of divorce or are newly divorced, it’s not unusual to feel like a parenting failure.[…]

Change of Circumstances

When Circumstances Change – Michigan Family Law Journal

When Circumstances Change I was recently approached by the editors of the Michigan Family Law Journal to write a monthly coulmn on Michigan Divorce and Family Law.  The Michigan Family Law Journal is a publication of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and serves as “Family Law Council’s forum to share ideas; review, evaluate,[…]

Custody in Michigan

Physical Custody in Michigan explained again.

On topic that seems to come up more than any is the notion of physical custody.  Unlike legal custody, which awards a parent with access to the educational, medical, religious and other pertinent records of the child.  Physical custody in Michigan is not easily defined. In fact, the Michigan Child Custody Statute MCL 722.26a does not[…]

Michigan custody modification

Michigan custody modification

The Brady Bunch got it right when they sang the once well-known verse of their hit single: “When it’s time to change, you’ve got to rearrange.”  However, in custody cases, change does not always come easy. In fact, Michigan custody modification law makes it difficult to “rearrange” custody if the change is really big.  By[…]

Christmas divorce

Christmas gifts, wedding gifts, engagement ring and divorce.

Tis the season to be merry. . . but what if you don’t want to be?  How does a court decide who gets the Christmas gifts? Michigan law regarding property division provides the answer.  A general rule of Michigan divorce property law is the notion that property acquired during the course of the marriage is[…]

Selling the house and divorce

When Selling the House Determines If You Should Divorce

Couples consider their finances and investments very carefully when deciding whether to divorce. In fact, some couples intentionally avoid starting the divorce process despite being miserable together. Why? Because they believe that the home they own together is keeping them from moving forward. In a past article, we tackled the question of who gets to[…]

Emotional Divorce

The artist, the engineer and the emotional divorce

The artist, the engineer and the emotional divorce. When I was in law school, a comment by my Constitutional law professor, Robert Sedler, remains imprinted in my mind.  Professor Sedler commented something along the lines of: “the problems with stereotypes is that they are usually true.”  When I first heard this, I disregarded it as[…]

Call Now Button